The two PCP councilors expressed their “rejection of the alleged lack of support from the City Council to victims and their families, which not only contradicts public statements from the mayor but also disrespects decisions of the Lisbon City Council” (CML).
João Ferreira and Ana Jara also stated that they sent a request for clarification to Carlos Moedas after, in a report aired today by RTP, families of the deceased and survivors of the incident, which occurred exactly one month ago, revealed that they “were never contacted by the CML or Carris.”
In the statement, the PCP highlighted that at an extraordinary CML meeting held on September 8, three proposals were approved that included, “albeit with different formulations, a point establishing the necessity for the CML to ensure support to all victims of the accident.”
“In particular, the proposal put forward by the PCP, unanimously voted on, explicitly stated in its point 4 the need for the executive ‘to ensure, in collaboration with the competent national entities, support to all victims and families of the deceased, both national and foreign, in everything necessary for their recovery,’ they added.
The communist councilors also considered that “the confirmation of the report’s information represents a gross violation of the decisions made at the CML meeting by unanimous decision of the municipal executive in a case of such significant importance and sensitivity.”
In a campaign action for the local elections, the president and candidate for the PSD/CD-PP/IL coalition, Carlos Moedas, reinforced today that he would “pursue all consequences” to determine the responsibilities for the accident with the Glória funicular.
When questioned about complaints of a lack of contact with survivors of the accident and families of the victims, Carlos Moedas assured: “I contacted all the families of the people who, unfortunately, are no longer with us. My team met with all the people; all are receiving full support.”
The derailment of the Glória funicular, managed by the municipal company Carris, occurred on September 3, resulting in 16 deaths and dozens of injuries, among Portuguese and foreigners of various nationalities.
Following the accident, Carlos Moedas argued that “it would be cowardly” to resign, while candidate Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN) called for explanations “calmly.”
The incident was discussed at two extraordinary meetings of the Lisbon City Council, on September 8 and 16, and a new discussion is planned for October 13, the day after the local elections, by decision of Carlos Moedas, “to avoid politicizing a topic that requires all technical clarifications.”
In a clarification note to the RTP news, Carris, the municipal company responsible for the Glória Funicular, stated today that it has been providing support to all requests received “through the numbers provided on the official channels,” notably through its Social Support Office, and in close coordination with the Lisbon City Council and the insurer Fidelidade.
Carris also emphasized that “it does not have a contact list of victims, which is held by the authorities,” so it “urges all interested parties” to contact the company, which keeps available its Social Support Office support lines, as well as the Fidelidade insurer’s support line.
On Thursday, the municipal transport company assured that it had initiated support measures for the victims of the Glória funicular derailment and reinforced that it is cooperating with the entities investigating the accident.
Among the measures adopted, the company highlighted psychological support and material assistance to the family of brake guard André Marques and other involved workers.
The insurer of Carris also secured the repatriation and funeral services of six foreign victims and is reimbursing the families of another five.
In the case of the five Portuguese fatalities, the claims are proceeding under work accident legislation.
Regarding the seriously injured, of various nationalities, repatriation to hospitals in their respective countries was organized, with medical and psychological support, while the slightly injured have maintained contact with the insurer for monitoring injuries and identifying needs, Carris informed.
