· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A tragic accident struck Lisbon on Wednesday when the Glória funicular, a historic hillside cable car, derailed, killing 15 people and injuring 18
• According to Portugal’s national emergency service (INEM), five of the injured are in serious condition. The funicular was reportedly at full capacity with over 40 passengers on board at the time of the crash
🔭 The context: The Ascensor da Glória, operating since 1885 and electrified in 1915, is one of Lisbon’s most iconic transport systems, linking downtown with the Bairro Alto neighborhood
• While popular with tourists, it is also a symbol of the city’s historical infrastructure
• A prior derailment in 2018 resulted in no injuries, raising long-standing questions about the system’s maintenance and safety oversight
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Urban cable transport systems like Lisbon's funiculars offer a low-emission alternative to motorized road vehicles, helping reduce urban congestion and pollution
• However, accidents like this raise critical concerns about the safety, modernisation, and regulatory oversight of aging infrastructure
• Ensuring the safety of such systems is essential to maintaining public trust in sustainable urban mobility
⏭️ What's next: Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has launched a formal investigation and declared Thursday a national day of mourning
• The city of Lisbon will observe three days of mourning, and Carris, the public transport operator, has suspended all three funicular routes and the Santa Justa Lift
• Investigators are expected to review maintenance records, safety compliance, and operational protocols in the coming days
💬 One quote: “Our priority is to understand what failed, ensure accountability, and support the victims and their families,” said Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
📈 One stat: The Glória funicular spans roughly 850 feet and completes its uphill journey in just three minutes — making it one of the steepest and most frequently used heritage lifts in Europe
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