The mayor of Oleiros, Miguel Marques, remembers André Marques, the brake operator of the Glória Elevator from this municipality who tragically died in the derailment, as a “very beloved” and “smiling” person.
André Marques would frequently return to his hometown, Sarnadas de S. Simão, and was very cherished in the community. He was participative, good-natured, and always smiling,” said the mayor in an interview. A distant relative of André, Miguel Marques interacted with him multiple times.
“André was younger than me, but I knew him and had the opportunity to be with him several times. The last time was about three weeks ago at a local festival,” Miguel Marques recounted.
The mayor explained that he was watching the accident coverage on television Wednesday night when he received an unofficial call stating that André Marques was the brake operator at the time and had died in the accident.
Miguel Marques says he “immediately tried to contact the family,” although there was no confirmation yet. Sadly, the news was confirmed with André’s passing.
The funeral for André Marques, the first confirmed victim of the Glória Elevator tragedy, takes place this Saturday at 6:30 PM, with friends and family already gathering to bid their final farewell. The Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, will attend the ceremony.
On Friday afternoon, the President of the Republic visited the funeral chapel in Basilica da Estrela, where the wake for André took place.
For now, Mayor Miguel Marques rules out future tributes, emphasizing the importance of preserving the family’s privacy and respecting their time of mourning. Later, in coordination with the family, the municipality may plan something in honor of André Marques.
