WARNING: Spray-Painted Symbol Found Near Lisbon Glória Funicular Tracks Hours Before Deadly Crash – Officials Deny Sabotage

By Elena Vasquez, International Correspondent

Lisbon, Portugal – September 9, 2025 – As Lisbon reels from the tragic derailment of the Elevador da Glória funicular on September 3, 2025, which claimed 16 lives and injured 21 others, a new and unsettling detail has emerged. Hours before the disaster, a mysterious spray-painted symbol was discovered on a wall near the funicular’s tracks along Calçada da Glória. Despite official denials of sabotage, the discovery has ignited speculation about foul play, adding another layer of intrigue to an already perplexing tragedy marked by cryptic diaries, unexplained sparks, and a haunting phone recording. The symbol, described as a cryptic geometric design, has raised questions about whether it was a warning, a prank, or something more sinister.

The Elevador da Glória, a 140-year-old funicular connecting Lisbon’s Baixa-Chiado district with the vibrant Bairro Alto, is a cherished icon, transporting over three million passengers annually up its steep 265-meter incline. On that fateful evening at approximately 6:05 p.m. (WEST), the descending car’s haulage cable snapped, sending it hurtling uncontrollably down the tracks before derailing and crashing into a building. The disaster, one of the deadliest in Lisbon’s recent history, has been attributed to material fatigue in the cable, according to a preliminary report by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail (GPIAAF). Yet, the discovery of the spray-painted symbol has cast a shadow over the official narrative, prompting whispers of conspiracy and renewed scrutiny of the funicular’s safety record.

The symbol was first spotted around 2:00 a.m. on September 3 by a local street cleaner, Pedro Almeida, who was working near the funicular’s lower station at Restauradores Square. “It was on the wall, just a few meters from the tracks,” Almeida told reporters. “It looked like a circle with a jagged line through it, maybe a star or something occult-like, painted in red. I thought it was just another graffiti tag, but it felt… off. I reported it to my supervisor, but no one followed up.” Photos of the symbol, shared anonymously on X hours after the crash, show a striking design: a crimson circle bisected by a lightning-bolt shape, with smaller markings resembling runes or arrows at its edges. The images have gone viral, with users speculating about its meaning, from gang tags to occult warnings.

Portuguese authorities have been quick to dismiss sabotage. “We have no evidence to suggest the derailment was caused by deliberate interference,” said GPIAAF spokesperson Ana Ribeiro during a press conference on September 7. “The symbol appears to be unrelated vandalism, and we urge the public to avoid spreading unverified claims.” Lisbon’s public transport operator, Carris, echoed this stance, emphasizing that the crash resulted from a mechanical failure – specifically, a broken haulage cable likely weakened by years of stress. However, the timing of the symbol’s appearance, coupled with recent revelations of a failed safety test in August 2025, has fueled public skepticism. Leaked documents, as previously reported, showed that Carris and its maintenance contractor, MAIN – Maintenance Engineering, ignored warnings about the cable’s microfractures, opting to keep the funicular running to avoid disrupting tourism.

The spray-painted symbol has sparked a range of theories. On X, users have pointed to its resemblance to symbols associated with local anarchist groups or street art collectives, some of which have protested Lisbon’s tourism-driven economy. One post read, “That symbol looks like something from the anti-gentrification crews. Were they targeting the Glória as a tourist trap?” Others have drawn parallels to historical vandalism, noting that the funicular’s tracks have long been a canvas for graffiti, as documented in a 2021 article by The Geographical Cure, which described the Calçada da Glória as a “veritable gallery of street art.” However, the symbol’s distinct design and proximity to the crash site have led some to speculate about a more deliberate intent. “It’s too coincidental,” wrote one X user. “A warning sign painted hours before a cable snaps? Someone knew something.”

Adding to the mystery is the funicular’s history of eerie incidents. Survivors reported seeing sparks under the seats moments before the crash, despite no electrical faults being found. A diary recovered from the wreckage, allegedly belonging to a Canadian victim, warned against taking the “11 PM ride,” though the crash occurred hours earlier. Most recently, a phone found recording in the debris captured a whispered “Stop” just before impact. These discoveries have fueled local folklore about the Glória’s “cursed” tracks, built atop Roman ruins and linked to tales of ghostly apparitions from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. “That symbol could be tied to the spirits,” said Mariana Lopes, a local historian. “Lisbon’s hills have always been a place of omens. People have seen strange markings near the funicular before, especially at night.”

Investigators are now examining the symbol as part of their probe, though they remain cautious about its significance. Forensic teams have collected samples of the red paint, which appears to be standard aerosol, and are analyzing CCTV footage from the area to identify who painted it. “We’re treating it as vandalism unless evidence suggests otherwise,” said a police source close to the investigation. “But we’re not ignoring the timing. It’s part of the puzzle.” The symbol’s location – on a wall just 10 meters from the tracks – has raised concerns about whether it could have been a marker for sabotage, though no physical evidence of tampering with the cable or tracks has been found.

The discovery has deepened the public’s distrust of Carris and MAIN, already under fire for ignoring the August safety test failure. “If they missed a failing cable, what else did they miss?” asked Ana Ribeiro, a Lisbon resident whose friend was among the injured. “That symbol could’ve been a cry for attention, and they ignored it like everything else.” The Carris workers’ union has called for an independent inquiry, accusing MAIN of cutting corners to save costs. “The Glória was a disaster waiting to happen,” said union leader Carla Mendes. “If that symbol was a warning, it’s on Carris for not acting sooner.”

As Lisbon mourns, the crash site remains a somber pilgrimage point, with flowers, candles, and notes piling up. Among them, a handwritten sign reads, “What did the symbol mean?” The city’s other funiculars, Lavra and Bica, remain closed, and tourism has taken a hit, with visitors wary of Lisbon’s historic transport. Mayor Carlos Moedas has promised a “full and transparent” investigation, while Prime Minister Luís Montenegro faces pressure to overhaul transport safety regulations. For now, the spray-painted symbol – a cryptic mark in crimson – looms as a haunting question mark over a tragedy that refuses to yield easy answers. Was it a prank, a protest, or a portent of doom? Only the silent tracks of the Glória may know.