WARNING: Survivors Heard a Loud “Crack” as Glória Cable Car’s Cable Snapped — Records Reveal Problem Detected Weeks Earlier ⚠️

On September 3, 2025, at approximately 6:05 p.m. local time, Lisbon’s iconic Glória funicular, known as Elevador da Glória, plummeted into tragedy when one of its cars derailed, killing at least 15 people and injuring 21 others, five critically. The bright yellow funicular, a national monument since 2002 connecting Restauradores Square to the Bairro Alto district, is a cherished symbol of the Portuguese capital. Survivors described hearing a chilling “crack” as the traction cable snapped, sending the car hurtling down the steep Calçada da Glória. But the most shocking revelation has now emerged: maintenance records indicate that issues with the cable were detected during inspections weeks earlier, raising serious questions about why the problem was not addressed.

The Moment of Horror

The Glória funicular, operational since 1885, is a vital part of Lisbon’s transport network, carrying around three million passengers annually, including tourists and locals. Its two cars, each capable of holding 43 passengers, operate in tandem, connected by a haulage cable powered by electric motors. On the evening of the crash, during the bustling rush hour, the descending car suddenly accelerated uncontrollably, derailed at a bend, and smashed into a building with what witnesses described to SIC Notícias as “brutal force.” The car crumpled “like a cardboard box,” leaving a trail of twisted metal and debris.

Survivors recounted a terrifying sequence: a loud “crack” echoed through the car moments before it lost control. One passenger, quoted by CNN Portugal, described the sound as “like a whip snapping,” followed by screams as the car careened down the 265-meter track. The second car at the bottom jolted violently, prompting passengers to leap from its windows in panic. Among the deceased was André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, the brake guard, whose desperate attempts to stop the car were in vain. The crash left a scene of devastation, with 62 rescue workers and 22 ambulances rushing to the site, where responders were moved to tears by the sight of trapped families, including a three-year-old German boy whose father died and whose pregnant mother remains in critical condition.

A Known Problem Ignored?

The most damning revelation comes from maintenance records uncovered by investigators, as reported by ABC News and corroborated by posts on X from @TheIndeWire. Weeks before the crash, inspections had flagged potential issues with the funicular’s traction cable, including signs of fraying and improper tension. These findings were part of routine checks conducted by MAIN – Maintenance Engineering, the contractor responsible for the funicular’s upkeep since 2022. Despite these warnings, the funicular continued to operate, a decision that has stunned investigators and the public alike.

Carris, Lisbon’s municipal transport operator, has insisted that all maintenance protocols were followed, with general maintenance last performed in 2022, interim repairs in 2024, and daily inspections. However, a Portuguese transport union official, Manuel Leal, told Lusa news agency that workers had filed “successive complaints” about inadequate maintenance, particularly since outsourcing began in 2011. Leal highlighted that employees had repeatedly warned about cable tension issues that made braking difficult, a concern echoed by a 2018 derailment caused by neglected wheel maintenance, which fortunately caused no injuries.

Adding to the controversy, ABC News reported that a maintenance tender for Lisbon’s funiculars was canceled just days before the crash on September 1, 2025, because the bids were deemed “too expensive.” This decision, made despite known concerns about the cable, has fueled accusations of negligence. Engineering expert Fernando Nunes da Silva, speaking to SIC Notícias, noted that a snapped cable should have triggered the funicular’s emergency brakes, but their failure suggests a broader systemic collapse, possibly due to corrosion or miscalibration undetected during inspections.

A Devastating Human Toll

The crash claimed a diverse group of victims, including five Portuguese nationals, two South Koreans, one Swiss, one American, one German, one Ukrainian, and one Canadian, reflecting the funicular’s global appeal. The injured, treated at hospitals like São José, Santa Maria, and São Francisco Xavier, included citizens from 10 nationalities. The tragedy struck a chord across Lisbon, with a makeshift memorial of flowers and candles forming at the crash site on Rua da Glória. Portugal declared September 4, 2025, a national day of mourning, while Lisbon observed three days of mourning. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called it “one of the greatest human tragedies in our recent history,” and Mayor Carlos Moedas demanded answers, stating, “The city needs to know why this happened.”

Global leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Pedro Sánchez, expressed condolences, with the European Parliament lowering its flags to half-mast. The U.S. Embassy confirmed one American among the deceased, and Global Affairs Canada reported two Canadians missing and one injured. The emotional weight of the disaster was palpable, with rescuers describing the scene as “heart-wrenching” to Al Jazeera, particularly the sight of families torn apart.

Investigation and Accountability

The ongoing investigation, led by Portugal’s judicial police, public prosecutors, and the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail, is now focusing on why a known cable issue was not addressed. Key questions include:

Why Were Warnings Ignored? Why did Carris and its contractor fail to act on inspection reports flagging cable issues weeks earlier?

Brake System Failure: Why did the emergency and mechanical brakes fail to engage, despite the operator’s three attempts to stop the car?

Outsourcing Risks: Did the 2011 decision to outsource maintenance compromise safety standards, as alleged by unions?

Canceled Tender: Was the decision to scrap a maintenance tender due to cost a factor in the tragedy?

All funicular lines in Lisbon—Bica, Lavra, and Graça—have been suspended for urgent safety inspections. Carris has launched an internal investigation, but public trust is shaken, especially given the company’s claim that a morning inspection on September 3 found “no faults,” as stated by CEO Pedro Bogas to Reuters.

A City’s Trust Shattered

The Glória funicular tragedy has exposed vulnerabilities in Lisbon’s historic transport infrastructure, which struggles to balance cultural heritage with modern safety demands. The “crack” heard by survivors marked not only the moment the cable snapped but also a breaking point in public confidence. As investigations continue, the failure to address a known problem weeks earlier stands as a stark warning of the consequences of oversight. Lisbon now mourns its lost lives while grappling with the urgent need for reform to prevent another such disaster.

Sources: ABC News, The New York Times, BBC, CNN Portugal, Al Jazeera, Observador, Reuters, @TheIndeWire.