Lisbon Mourns After Deadly Cable Tram Derailment Kills 15

Tragic Accident on Historic Gloria Line

Portugal has declared a national day of mourning following a catastrophic cable tram derailment in Lisbon that claimed at least 15 lives and left 18 injured, five in critical condition. The accident occurred around 7:00 PM local time on September 3, 2025, when a cable connecting two cabins snapped on the iconic Gloria funicular line.

Investigation Underway

According to Portuguese media reports, the broken cable caused one cabin to plunge downhill, derail on a curve, and crash into a building. The vehicle, with capacity for 42 passengers, was carrying approximately 40 people at the time of the accident. The incident has raised serious questions about maintenance procedures, as the maintenance contract for Lisbon's historic tram system reportedly expired just days before the tragedy.

International Victims and Response

Among the victims was a young father, while his 3-year-old son sustained minor injuries and the child's German mother suffered serious wounds but is now in stable condition after surgery. Two Spanish nationals were also among the injured. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas announced three days of mourning for the capital, describing the event as "a tragedy like we have never seen before."

Historic Transportation System

The yellow-and-white trams are among Lisbon's most popular tourist attractions, navigating the city's steep hills since the late 19th century. The Gloria line where the accident occurred dates back to 1885 and represents one of the city's historic cable car systems that once included multiple lines throughout Lisbon.

All cable tram services have been suspended indefinitely pending comprehensive safety inspections. Transport operator Carris has assured the public that a new maintenance contract took effect on Monday, September 1st, though questions remain about the timing and adequacy of maintenance procedures.