FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The serious accident has shocked Portugal, as the "Gloria" was not just a means of transportation, but an icon of Lisbon...
The toll from the tragic accident in Lisbon has risen significantly: 15 people have lost their lives and over 20 others have been injured, five of whom are in critical condition, according to police sources cited by Diário de Notícias.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, around 6:00 PM, when the famous funicular "Elevador da Glória" derailed and crashed into a building on Rua da Glória, near Avenida da Liberdade.
Footage and photos from the scene show the yellow bus, a symbol of Lisbon and one of its main tourist attractions, completely destroyed. According to CNN Portugal, many passengers were forced to jump out of windows to escape in the first moments after the accident, while others were trapped between twisted bars.
A historic symbol of Lisbon in ruins
The Gloria funicular, which connects Praça dos Restauradores with the historic Bairro Alto district, was the most used means of transport by tourists to traverse the steep slope of the city center. The vehicle has a capacity of 42 people, seated and standing.
This funicular was inaugurated on October 24, 1885, and was declared a national monument by the Portuguese state in 2002. It consists of two carriages connected by an underground cable, which move alternately and synchronously along two parallel tracks.
But one of these cables, according to preliminary data, gave way during the journey, causing the vehicle to lose control and crash violently into a nearby building.
Institutional reaction and difficult rescue
8 fire engines and 34 emergency personnel were sent to the scene, working for hours to extract survivors from the rubble.
The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, immediately reacted with an official message on the Presidency's website: "I express my deepest condolences to the victims and their families, as well as full solidarity with the many injured, especially those in serious condition."
Emergency services are continuing to inspect the structure to avoid the risk of further collapses, while initial investigations have begun to determine responsibilities in maintaining the line.
From national pride to tragedy
The serious accident has shocked Portugal, as the "Gloria" was not just a means of transportation, but an icon of Lisbon, photographed by thousands of tourists every day and inextricably linked to the city's urban identity.
From a symbol of national pride, today it has become a sign of a tragedy that has claimed innocent lives and opened deep wounds in one of Europe's most beloved tourist centers. / Pamphlet
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