The accident with the Elevador da Glória in Lisbon left at least 17 dead and 21 injured on Wednesday night (Sept. 3). Among the victims is a Brazilian who suffered only minor injuries. The information was confirmed by the Consulate-General of Brazil in Portugal on Thursday (Sept. 4). The news was published by Metrópoles.
The Brazilian was treated at Hospital Amadora-Sintra, in the Lisbon metropolitan area, and was discharged shortly afterward. His name and details about his health status were not disclosed. Initially, the Brazilian government had reported no nationals among the victims, but later confirmed the case. “The Consulate-General received information that there was a Brazilian with minor injuries, who was treated at the local Amadora/Sintra health unit and has already been discharged. No information was disclosed about the Brazilian in question, such as name or health situation,” stated the diplomatic representation.
The tragedy
The Elevador da Glória, a funicular connecting Praça dos Restauradores to Bairro Alto, derailed while descending the slope apparently out of control and collided with a building. Images released by the Portuguese press show the vehicle overturned at a curve in the route, with the side structure and roof severely damaged.
According to preliminary information, one of the traction cables came loose, causing loss of control and the subsequent crash into the building. The impact was so violent that it left the area littered with debris and mobilized rescue teams for hours.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas lamented the tragedy and said it was an unprecedented episode in the Portuguese capital. “A tragedy that has never happened,” he said. The atmosphere in Bairro Alto and around the accident site was described as one of dismay, with tourists, residents, and onlookers watching the victim recovery efforts.
National mourning and investigations
The Portuguese government decreed three days of national mourning in memory of the victims. The Public Prosecutor’s Office and Lisbon’s Judicial Police have opened investigations to determine the causes of the derailment.
So far, there is no official confirmation of mechanical failure or human error, but the most likely hypothesis is cable breakage, according to local authorities. The funicular is one of the city’s most traditional tourist attractions and had no record of a similar accident until now.
Source: www.brasil247.com