Shock in Lisbon: 16 deaths with a devastating stand cable car!

Shock in Lisbon: 16 deaths with a devastating stand cable car!

On Wednesday evening, September 6, 2025, a serious accident occurred in Lisbon, Portugal with the "Elevador da Glória" cable car. In this tragic incident, a rope loosened from one of the cars, which led to a dramatic crash. As a result, at least 16 people died and several others were injured. The exact cause of the accident is still being examined, but damage to the connection of the rope with the accident car seems to have played a crucial role, as the office for the contraception and examination of flight and railway accidents (GPIAAF) indicates. There is uncertainty about the functioning of the brakes at the time of the accident, which makes the investigation even more difficult.

The "Elevador da Glória" is known for its steep route, which has a slope of more than 17 percent over a length of 265 meters. This funicular connects the Baixa district with Bairro Alto and is used annually by around three million passengers. The victims of the accident include not only Portuguese, but also foreign guests. Initial eyewitness reports indicate that the car took a curve at high speed before scolding and crashing into a building.

Reactions to misfortune

The reactions to the incident were affected both locally and internationally. Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called for a rapid and comprehensive clarification of the circumstances that led to this accident. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, also expressed her sympathy for the relatives of the victims. The criminal police have initiated investigations to determine the exact processes and possible technical deficiencies that led to accident.

Technical security standards from cable cars

To ensure the safety of cable cars, there are strict regulations and regular exams, as the TÜV association emphasizes. Cable cars are monitored intensively and must be checked annually by external experts. Furthermore, larger intermediate tests and regular controls of the systems are necessary. Even if cable cars are considered to be very safe and accidents are rare, technical defects and human failure can lead to serious consequences, as this misfortune shows impressively.

The EU cable car ordinance, which has been in force since April 2018, harmonizes the legal regulations for the market access of cable cars in Europe. Operators are obliged to ensure that all security systems work without errors throughout the operation. Emergency and evacuation measures must also be clearly regulated and demonstrated when commissioning.

The tragedy in Lisbon highlights the need to strengthen security standards and intensify the monitoring of cable cars in order to prevent similar incidents in the future. It remains to be seen which further findings the investigation will reveal.