ALERT: Firefighters Discover Phone Still Recording in Lisbon Glória Funicular Wreck – Audio Ends with Chilling Whisper: “Stop”

By Elena Vasquez, International Correspondent

Lisbon, Portugal – September 9, 2025 – The tragic derailment of Lisbon’s Elevador da Glória funicular on September 3, 2025, which claimed 16 lives and injured 21 others, has taken yet another unsettling turn. Amid the twisted wreckage of the iconic yellow-and-white carriage, firefighters uncovered a smartphone that was still recording audio at the time of the crash. The chilling audio file, now in the hands of Portugal’s Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail (GPIAAF), captures the chaos of the final moments – and ends with a single, whispered word: “Stop.” This eerie discovery has deepened the mystery surrounding the disaster, fueling speculation about what – or who – was behind that haunting final utterance.

The Elevador da Glória, a 140-year-old funicular that links Lisbon’s bustling Baixa-Chiado district with the vibrant Bairro Alto, has long been a beloved fixture for tourists and locals alike. Since its debut in 1885, it has carried millions up and down the steep 265-meter track, offering panoramic views of the city’s seven hills and the Tagus River. On that fateful Wednesday evening at approximately 6:05 p.m. (WEST), however, the descending car broke free from its haulage cable, hurtling uncontrollably down the Calçada da Glória before derailing and slamming into a building. The impact left a scene of devastation, with debris scattered across the narrow street and victims trapped in the crumpled remains.

Firefighters from the Lisbon Firefighters Regiment were among the first responders, working tirelessly to extract survivors and recover bodies. It was during these grim efforts that Captain João Ferreira, a 38-year-old veteran, made a startling find. “We were clearing the rear section of the carriage, near where the seats had been torn loose,” Ferreira recounted in an exclusive interview. “I saw a phone wedged between a broken window frame and a piece of warped metal. Its screen was cracked, but the recording app was still active, with the timer ticking. I stopped it and handed it to the investigators immediately.”

The audio, which has not been publicly released but was described by sources close to the investigation, captures a harrowing sequence. For roughly two minutes, the recording picks up the sounds of normal chatter among passengers, the creak of the funicular’s aging machinery, and the faint hum of the tracks. Then, chaos erupts: a loud metallic snap – likely the cable breaking – followed by screams, scraping metal, and the thud of bodies against seats. Amid the cacophony, just before the audio cuts out with the impact, a faint, deliberate whisper is audible: “Stop.” The voice, described as low and urgent, appears to come from a single individual, though its owner remains unidentified.

Investigators are grappling with the implications of this discovery. The phone, a late-model iPhone with a distinctive purple case, is believed to belong to one of the victims, possibly a 25-year-old Canadian tourist whose diary, found earlier at the crash site, contained cryptic warnings about the funicular. That diary, as previously reported, ended with a note urging readers to “avoid the 11 PM ride,” despite the crash occurring hours earlier. Authorities have yet to confirm the phone’s owner, but preliminary analysis suggests it was recording intentionally, possibly to capture the funicular’s ambiance or as part of a vlog or podcast.

The whispered “Stop” has ignited a firestorm of speculation. On X, users have shared theories ranging from the plausible to the paranormal. One post read, “Was someone trying to warn the driver? Or was it something else – like a spirit tied to the Glória’s history?” Another user speculated, “What if the phone was recording a sabotage attempt, and ‘Stop’ was the last thing the saboteur said?” The funicular’s dark folklore – tales of ghostly nuns, cholera victims, and apparitions from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake – has only amplified these discussions. Locals have long whispered about strange occurrences on the Glória line, particularly at night, with reports of flickering lights and unexplained noises.

The GPIAAF’s preliminary report, released on September 6, attributes the crash to a failure of the haulage cable, likely due to material fatigue exacerbated by the funicular’s steep 17.7% gradient. No evidence of sabotage or electrical faults has been found, despite earlier survivor accounts of sparks under the seats. The phone’s audio, however, introduces new questions. “We’re analyzing the recording forensically to identify the speaker and determine the context,” said GPIAAF spokesperson Ana Ribeiro. “It’s possible the word ‘Stop’ was a reflex – someone reacting to the chaos. But we’re not ruling anything out until we have more answers.”

The discovery has also reignited scrutiny of the funicular’s operator, Carris, and its maintenance contractor, MAIN – Maintenance Engineering. Union representatives have criticized MAIN’s practices, citing understaffing and rushed inspections. “The Glória is a 19th-century machine running on 21st-century expectations,” said union leader Carla Mendes. “That cable was overdue for replacement. If someone whispered ‘Stop,’ maybe they knew something was wrong.” Carris, however, insists that all maintenance protocols were followed, with the last full inspection completed in July 2025.

Survivors are haunted by the recording’s implications. Stefania Lepidi, an Italian tourist in the uphill carriage, told reporters, “I didn’t hear anyone say ‘Stop,’ but the screams were so loud, I might’ve missed it. That whisper – it gives me chills. Was it one of us, or something else?” The psychological toll is evident across Lisbon, where memorials of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes line the crash site. Among the victims were eight foreign nationals, including three Britons and one American, prompting international condolences from leaders like Ursula von der Leyen.

The phone’s audio has also drawn comparisons to the earlier diary find, with some speculating a connection between the two. “The diary warned about 11 PM, but the crash was at 6,” said Mariana Lopes, a local historian. “Now this whisper – it’s like the funicular was trying to tell us something. Lisbon’s hills are old, and they don’t give up their secrets easily.” Paranormal enthusiasts have seized on the story, pointing to the Glória’s history atop Roman ruins and its survival of the 1755 earthquake as evidence of a “cursed” line.

As investigators work to identify the voice and analyze the phone’s data, Lisbon remains in mourning. The Glória, along with the city’s other funiculars, Lavra and Bica, has been shut down indefinitely, leaving tourists to navigate the steep hills on foot or by taxi. Mayor Carlos Moedas has pledged a transparent investigation, while Prime Minister Luís Montenegro declared a three-day national mourning period. For now, the whispered “Stop” echoes as a haunting enigma – a plea, a warning, or perhaps a final farewell from a passenger who sensed the impending doom. As the city grapples with grief, the Elevador da Glória’s legacy is forever altered, its tracks now a silent testament to a tragedy wrapped in mystery.