Lisbon Tram Derailment Claims 17 Lives, Shadows Tourism Industry

A tragic tram derailment in Lisbon has led to the deaths of at least 17 people and left 21 injured, raising serious concerns about the safety of the city’s public transportation system. The accident occurred on Wednesday evening when the Elevador da Glória, a popular funicular that transports tourists up a steep hillside, collided with a building in central Lisbon. This incident has cast a shadow over the city’s vital tourism sector, which plays a significant role in the local economy.

Lisbon, known as Europe’s oldest capital, attracts approximately 3 million riders annually on the Elevador da Glória alone. The tram is a beloved symbol of the city, often featured in tourist itineraries. Following the accident, local authorities suspended operations of other funiculars, prompting questions about the overall maintenance of public transport systems in the area.

Concerns Over Safety and Infrastructure

The crash has intensified scrutiny of Portugal’s infrastructure, particularly as the country is known for its low crime rates and reputation as a safe tourist destination. According to Joao Duque, a professor at the University of Lisbon’s School of Economics and Management, the incident raises “serious safety concerns for tourists” and challenges Portugal’s image as a safe haven for visitors.

Portugal ranked seventh on the Global Peace Index in 2024, a reputation that helped attract 19.4 million foreign visitors last year—nearly twice the country’s population. However, the recent tragedy has highlighted the potential strain on the nation’s aging infrastructure, which is struggling to keep pace with the booming tourism industry.

The Elevador da Glória has been managed by Carris, the public transit operator, for nearly a century. In a statement, the company indicated that all maintenance procedures are up to date and that inspections are outsourced to external providers. Initial reports suggest that a cable supporting the funicular may have snapped, leading to the derailment.

Government Response and Mourning

In the wake of the accident, Carlos Moedas, the Mayor of Lisbon, described the crash as the worst of its kind in the city’s history. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and underscored that “Lisbon is in mourning.” Local elections are approaching in October, and the incident has drawn a unified response from political parties, with opposition leaders refraining from assigning blame for now.

National leaders, including President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, have expressed their condolences to the victims’ families, and the government declared a national day of mourning. Messages of sympathy have also come from international figures, including Giorgia Meloni, Emmanuel Macron, and Ursula von der Leyen.

The crash follows a series of criticisms regarding underinvestment in Portugal’s infrastructure, including a recent blackout across the Iberian Peninsula. Lisbon’s main airport, which handled a record 35 million passengers in 2024, faces chronic delays during peak travel seasons. Plans for a larger airport facility, estimated at €9 billion ($10.5 billion), are part of the government’s initiative to modernize transport and energy infrastructure, with previous commitments of €43 billion for infrastructure investment still being updated.

The impacts of this tragic incident on Lisbon’s tourism outlook remain to be seen, but it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing public safety in a city that has long welcomed visitors from around the world.