Three British citizens are among the 16 fatalities in the tragic Lisbon funicular accident, as confirmed by Portuguese authorities. The Glória funicular, a popular attraction, derailed and crashed into a building on Wednesday night, resulting in over 20 injuries. One of the trams lost control on a hill, collided with a building, and broke into pieces. While most victims remain unidentified, initial reports indicated that tourists from various countries were affected.
The fatal incident was reportedly triggered by a cable detachment along the railway track. Investigations have been initiated by the national transport safety authority, the funicular’s owning company, and the public prosecutor’s office.
The deceased individuals are believed to include nationals from the UK, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, Canada, France, and the US. The majority of victims perished at the scene, with one succumbing to injuries in the hospital later.
The first identified victim was André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, a 40-year-old Portuguese brakeman who worked on the tram. Pedro Manuel Alves Trindade, a former Portuguese volleyball referee, was also among the casualties.
A spokesperson from the Portuguese Volleyball Federation expressed deep sorrow over the loss, extending condolences to the affected families and friends.
Authorities disclosed that a three-year-old German boy was among the injured, while his mother sustained severe injuries in the tragic incident. Initially presumed dead, the boy’s father was later found alive after the family attempted to identify his body at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Shocking footage from the accident site depicted approximately 60 rescue personnel scrambling to extract individuals from the mangled tram. Despite initial concerns, it was confirmed that no children were among the deceased.
Following the disaster, the Portuguese government declared a national period of mourning, acknowledging the irreversible loss of life and expressing solidarity with grieving families and the nation at large. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro termed the crash as “one of the most significant human tragedies in recent history.”