In a tragic incident on Wednesday afternoon, the derailing of the Elevador da Glória in Lisbon resulted in 16 fatalities and over 20 injuries, with ten considered serious. The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, described the event as “one of the greatest human tragedies” in recent Portuguese history.
Among the deceased, eight have been identified: five Portuguese, two Korean, and one Swiss.
The Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed that procedures are underway to identify the remaining eight victims.
In a press conference on Thursday, the director of the Judicial Police, Luís Neves, announced that there is a “high probability” of having identified five more victims.
Information gathered from lodging records and family contacts has identified the deceased as a German, two Canadians, a Ukrainian, and an American. The identities of three victims remain undetermined.
The German victim is believed to be the father of a three-year-old boy, who sustained minor injuries and was aided by a Public Security Police (PSP) officer. The mother was taken to Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon and is in stable condition.
On Friday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the death of a French citizen in the accident and offered support to the family.
Nous avons la confirmation du décès d’une de nos compatriotes dans le tragique accident survenu hier à Lisbonne.
Nous adressons toutes nos pensées à sa famille et à ses proches. L’ambassade se tient à leur disposition pour les accompagner.
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) September 5, 2025
“We confirm the death of one of our compatriots in the tragic accident in Lisbon. Our thoughts go out to her family and loved ones. The embassy is available to support them,” stated on the social network X.
Four Employees of Santa and the Elevator Brakeman: The Portuguese Victims of the Tragedy
The first victim identified was the brakeman André Marques, who was responsible for operating the Elevador da Glória. The Transport Workers Union (SITRA) expressed “deepest and sincere condolences to all the family, friends, and colleagues” of the victim.
On Thursday, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa reported that four of its employees died in the accident and “two collaborators remain hospitalized.”
“It is with deep sorrow that Santa Casa da Misericórdia confirms the passing of four of its collaborators,” stated in a release, noting that the Elevador da Glória is a “frequently used means of transport by many working at the institution.”
Among Santa Casa’s employees was Pedro Trindade, a former member of the Portuguese Volleyball Federation’s board and also a volleyball referee.
Derailment Caused Over 20 Injuries of Various Nationalities
During a press conference on Thursday morning, Margarida Castro Martins, director of Civil Protection at Lisbon City Council, confirmed that the accident injured 23 people: 19 were transported to the hospital, and four went by their own means.
The hospital-treated victims included ten different nationalities: four Portuguese, two Germans, two Spaniards, one Korean, one Cape Verdean, one Canadian, one Italian, one French, one Swiss, and one Moroccan. The group included 12 women and seven men, aged 24 to 65.
The Brazilian Consulate in Portugal confirmed that two Brazilians were injured in the accident. During a press conference, the executive director of the National Health Service (SNS), Álvaro Santos Almeida, noted that both were men, one of whom resides in Portugal. Both have been discharged from the hospital.
Marcelo Sent Condolence Letters to Leaders of Countries With Victims
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has sent condolence letters to national leaders from countries whose citizens were victims of the accident.
“President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has sent letters to his counterparts from countries whose nationals were directly affected by the Elevador da Glória accident,” read a statement on the Presidency’s website, not specifying which leaders received the letters.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa sent condolence letters to national leaders from countries with citizens who were victims of the Wednesday accident involving the Elevador da Glória in Lisbon.
Lusa | 22:08 – 04/09/2025
This note came after the President attended a memorial mass for the accident’s victims at São Domingos Church, along with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas.
After the mass, the President, Prime Minister, and Mayor walked from Largo de São Domingos to near the accident site at Calçada da Glória, where they laid flowers.
“This is One of the Greatest Human Tragedies in Our Recent History”
In a national address on Wednesday afternoon, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro described the accident as “one of the greatest human tragedies” in Portugal’s recent history and emphasized that the affected “are not alone.”
“It is with deep sadness and sorrow that I speak to you at this difficult time. Yesterday, Portugal was shaken by a terrible accident with the derailing of the Elevador da Glória in the heart of Lisbon. This is one of the greatest human tragedies in our recent history,” stated Montenegro.
“In this moment of pain, no words will suffice to soothe your loss or fill the void left by those who departed. But know that, on behalf of the Portuguese State, you are not alone, and the entire country shares in your grief,” he added.
[News updated at 08:53]
