On a warm September evening in 2025, Lisbon’s iconic Gloria funicular, a beloved symbol of the city’s hilly charm and a magnet for tourists, became the scene of one of Portugal’s most devastating public transport tragedies in recent memory. At 6:15pm local time on September 3, the century-old streetcar, built to traverse the city’s steep slopes using a counterweight system, derailed after a catastrophic cable failure and crashed violently into a building. Sixteen lives were lost, and 21 others were left injured in the wake of the disaster, according to multiple reports from AP, CBC News, and Portugal’s own Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation (GPIAAF).
The Gloria funicular, which opened in 1885, is more than just a mode of transport—it’s a piece of living history. Locals and tourists alike have ridden its tracks for generations, enjoying sweeping views of Lisbon’s neighborhoods as the tram crawls up and down the city’s famously steep hills. But on that fateful day, what should have been a scenic journey turned into a nightmare. The funicular, descending a steep incline in tandem with its sister car, suddenly lost control. As the underground steel haulage cable connecting the two cars snapped, the tram gained speed, hurtled off the rails on a bend, and smashed into a nearby building. The force of the crash left the wooden cabin a crumpled wreck, its sides and roof buckled by the impact.
The human toll was staggering. Of the 16 people killed, 11 were foreign nationals—a stark reminder of the tram’s popularity among visitors. Among the deceased were three from the United Kingdom, two Canadians (a couple from Quebec), a man from Ottawa, two South Koreans, one American, one Frenchwoman, one Swiss, and one Ukrainian, as detailed by CBC News and the AP. Five Portuguese citizens also lost their lives. The injured, numbering 21, included both locals and tourists, many of whom were simply seeking a picturesque ride through the city.
In the immediate aftermath, emergency responders and police swarmed the narrow, cobbled street where the accident occurred. The sight of the toppled carriage, its historic frame mangled, was a sobering scene for a city that prides itself on its vibrant culture and hospitality. As the dust settled, the search for answers began in earnest.
On October 20, 2025, the GPIAAF released its preliminary findings, shedding light on the technical and procedural failures that led to the tragedy. According to the bureau’s report, the underground steel haulage cable—crucial for balancing the weight of the two cars and ensuring safe passage up and down the hill—was fundamentally unfit for its role. It was neither strong enough for the demands of public transport nor certified for such use. Most alarmingly, the cable had not been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and had been in service for less than a year before the accident.
Investigators found that the maintenance program overseeing the funicular was riddled with shortcomings. In five separate instances, maintenance procedures referred to “non-existent, inapplicable or outdated standards,” the report noted. This lack of up-to-date oversight, coupled with the use of an uncertified cable, created a perfect storm of risk. When the cable finally gave way, the funicular’s safety systems automatically cut power to the streetcar. But this safeguard had an unintended consequence: the pneumatic brake, which relied on power, was disabled. The driver, acting quickly, activated the manual brake, but it simply wasn’t strong enough to halt the runaway car as it careened down the hill.
The GPIAAF’s preliminary report emphasized that its purpose was not to assign blame or establish liability, but rather to uncover the facts and prevent future disasters. “The cable did not comply with the specifications in force at the CCFL [Lisbon’s transport operator] to be used for the Gloria tram,” the bureau stated. The investigation also highlighted the need to review and possibly upgrade the braking systems on all of Lisbon’s funiculars, ensuring that they are capable of immobilizing the cabins in the event of a cable break.
In the wake of the findings, the GPIAAF made a sweeping recommendation: all of Lisbon’s funiculars should remain closed for the foreseeable future, until inspectors can confirm their safety and full compliance with modern standards. This decision, while disruptive to the city’s daily rhythms and its tourism industry, reflects the gravity of the situation and the authorities’ commitment to public safety. However, the bureau stopped short of issuing specific safety recommendations, noting that these would be provided only after the completion of a more detailed final report, expected in 2026.
The closure of the funiculars has left a noticeable void in Lisbon’s urban landscape. For many residents, the trams are more than just transportation—they are a cherished part of the city’s identity. Tourists, too, have expressed disappointment at missing out on a classic Lisbon experience. Yet, as the city mourns and reflects, there is a growing consensus that safety must come first, no matter the inconvenience.
The Gloria accident has also prompted broader questions about infrastructure maintenance, regulatory oversight, and the challenges of preserving historic transport systems in a modern world. The funicular’s counterweight system, once a marvel of 19th-century engineering, was rendered useless the moment the cable snapped. As cities across Europe and beyond grapple with aging public transport, the lessons from Lisbon resonate far beyond its borders.
For now, the families of those lost in the crash are left with grief and unanswered questions. The GPIAAF’s final report, due next year, is expected to provide a fuller picture of what went wrong and how such a tragedy can be prevented in the future. Until then, Lisbon’s steep hills will be a little quieter, as the city honors the memory of those who perished and works to ensure that its beloved trams can one day run safely once again.
The events of September 3, 2025, have left an indelible mark on Lisbon, reminding all who live in or visit the city that even the most time-honored traditions must adapt to the demands of safety and modernity. The hope, shared by many, is that from this tragedy will come meaningful change—and that the Gloria funicular will someday return, restored and secure, to its rightful place in the heart of Lisbon.