In a tragic accident currently under investigation, numerous individuals of various nationalities were either killed or injured, prompting the government to declare a national day of mourning observed on Thursday. Lisbon’s City Hall announced three days of municipal mourning from Thursday to Saturday.
Key points regarding the Glória Elevator accident:
When did the accident occur?
The Glória Elevator, comprising two synchronized electric cabins, derailed around 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Within approximately five minutes, emergency units, including the Regimento Sapadores Bombeiros and the INEM, were on site, initiating rescue and victim extraction operations.
The rescue efforts involved 60 members of the Regimento Sapadores Bombeiros supported by 15 vehicles, with 19 ambulances deployed, including those from INEM and various volunteer fire brigades from Lisbon and neighboring regions like Pontinha, Algés, and Carnaxide.
The operations were further assisted by the Municipal Police, Public Security Police, and Lisbon’s Municipal Civil Protection Service.
A psychological support center was established nearby by INEM, with professionals from various agencies providing information and psychological aid to the families and friends of the victims who arrived at the scene.
16 dead and 22 injured
The accident resulted in 16 fatalities – five Portuguese, two South Koreans, one Swiss, three British, two Canadians, one Ukrainian, one American, and one French, identified by the Judiciary Police and the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences.
Authorities reported 22 injuries, with the wounded transferred to multiple hospitals in the Lisbon region.
Nine victims remain hospitalized at São José, Santa Maria, and São Francisco Xavier hospitals, with six in intensive care. Individuals with minor injuries have been discharged.
Urgency in determining causes
On Thursday, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his expectation for a swift determination of the accident’s causes, both legally and technically, emphasizing the need for a speedy resolution.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro echoed these sentiments, promising rapid investigations, highlighting the incident as one of the “largest human tragedies in recent history.”
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas requested the municipal company Carris to conduct an independent external investigation, alongside an internal inquiry, stressing that the “city needs answers” regarding the derailment causes.
External consultants in Carris investigation
Following Carlos Moedas’ request, Carris President Pedro de Brito Bogas announced that the internal investigation would involve external consultants, affirming the company’s full cooperation with investigating entities.
He further stated that the elevator’s maintenance, outsourced to a company, was strictly adhered to, and noted that Carris has more than doubled its investment in this area from 2015 to 2025.
The Carris President stated that the internal inquiry into the Glória Elevator’s derailment in Lisbon would incorporate external consultants following the mayor’s request.
Lusa | 18:01 – 04/09/2025
Union criticism of maintenance outsourcing
The Federation of Transport and Telecommunications Unions – Fectrans called for a thorough investigation into the derailment causes, also examining the impact of outsourcing the maintenance service.
The Federation of Transport and Telecommunications Unions – Fectrans today demanded a “thorough inquiry” into the causes of the Glória Elevator derailment in Lisbon, which resulted in 16 deaths and numerous injuries.
Lusa | 14:40 – 04/09/2025
Union leader Manuel Leal remarked that Carris employees had voiced “continuous complaints” regarding the need to reinstate internal maintenance for the elevators.
The Lisbon Region Workers’ Committees Coordination also criticized the outsourcing of Carris’ maintenance services, arguing that these should be conducted internally and not outsourced for profit motives.
Candidates demand clarification from Moedas
With municipal elections just over a month away, Alexandra Leitão, the lead candidate for the PS/Livre/BE/PAN coalition in Lisbon, stated on Thursday that the moment called for “solidarity and unity,” while emphasizing the necessity for Carlos Moedas to provide clarifications in the upcoming days.
On the same day, Bruno Mascarenhas, a Chega municipal deputy and candidate for Lisbon mayor, announced the submission of a censure motion against the City Hall’s executive, demanding accountability for the Glória Elevator accident.
Carris managed by the municipality since 2017
In 2017, Carris, responsible for urban surface passenger transportation, came under the administration of the Lisbon Municipal Council. The company reportedly had about 2,500 employees, managing a fleet of 773 buses, 64 trams, three elevators, and a lift.
In 2024, Carris transported 134 million passengers, with trams, elevators, and lifts seeing a 7% increase in demand.
That year, ticket revenues grew by 2.8%, reaching approximately 122 million euros.
Direct award maintenance contract
Recently, Carris was compelled to make a direct contract award with the current maintenance company for five months after the public contract ended in late August.
A new public tender will be launched later this month.
Carris made a direct contract with the company currently ensuring the maintenance of Lisbon’s elevators and lifts for five months, following the expiration of the public contract in late August.
Lusa | 16:57 – 04/09/2025
Maintenance services have been handled by MNTC/Main since 2019, with maintenance outsourcing for elevators and lifts ongoing since 2007.
The Carris President indicated that the Glória Elevator’s last major maintenance was performed in 2022 and is due again in four years (by 2026). The current safety plan mandates weekly and monthly maintenance, as well as daily inspections, the last of which occurred on the accident day.
Immediate suspension of elevators
On the accident day, the Mayor of Lisbon ordered the immediate suspension of the Bica and Lavra elevators and the Funicular of Graça for inspection.
Designed by engineer Raoul Mesnier de Ponsar, the Lavra, Glória, and Bica elevators, along with the Graça Funicular, are also managed by Carris.
The Glória Elevator connects Restauradores to São Pedro de Alcântara Garden in Bairro Alto, covering approximately 265 meters, and is a popular tourist attraction.
On February 19, 2002, the Lavra, Glória, and Bica elevators, along with the Santa Justa Lift, were classified as National Monuments.
A well-known Lisbon tourist landmark, the Glória Elevator lent its name to Rádio Macau’s rock band album released in 1984.
