Lisbon Streetcar Derailment Claims 17 Lives, National Mourning Declared

A tragic incident occurred in Lisbon on the evening of October 4, 2023, when a streetcar, known locally as the Elevador da Gloria, derailed, resulting in the deaths of 17 people and injuring 21 others. Emergency services reported that this accident is being classified as one of the worst tragedies to strike the Portuguese capital in recent years.

Investigation and Initial Findings

Details about the crash remain limited as authorities continue their investigation. The derailment happened around 18:00 local time during the busy evening rush hour. Eyewitnesses described the streetcar as speeding down a hill, seemingly out of control. One witness recounted seeing the vehicle topple onto a pedestrian on the sidewalk. The streetcar, which is characterized by its distinctive yellow-and-white color, sustained significant damage, with its sides and top crumpled after colliding with a building at a road bend.

The operating company, Carris, stated that scheduled maintenance had been conducted prior to the incident. Officials have not yet confirmed whether a mechanical failure, such as a faulty brake or a broken cable, contributed to the derailment.

Margarida Castro Martins, head of Lisbon’s Civil Protection Agency, confirmed the rising death toll on Thursday afternoon, noting that the count had increased to 17, including two individuals who were receiving medical care. While she refrained from disclosing the victims’ names or nationalities, she assured that their families would be informed first.

Among the injured were individuals from various countries, including two each from Germany and Spain, along with one person each from France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Morocco, South Korea, and Cape Verde.

National Mourning and International Condolences

In response to the tragedy, Portugal declared a national day of mourning on October 5, 2023. The government issued a statement expressing sorrow over the “irreparable loss of human life,” which has left families grieving and the nation in shock. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas described the event as “a tragedy of the like we’ve never seen.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also extended her condolences, expressing her sadness over the derailment of the iconic streetcar via social media platform X, stating, “It is with sadness that I learned of the derailment of the famous Elevador da Gloria.”

The Elevador da Gloria has been a beloved attraction in Lisbon since its inauguration in 1885. This funicular, which operates by harnessing steel cables, can transport over 40 passengers at a time along a hilly, traffic-free route. Classified as a national monument, the streetcar draws millions of tourists annually, who often wait in long lines for the short, scenic ride.

As the investigation unfolds, officials continue to seek answers regarding the circumstances leading to this devastating incident, while the city and the nation grapple with the loss of life and community impact.