UPDATE 23:15 MAE: The Romanian Embassy in Lisbon is in contact with local authorities

Following the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it currently has no information about possible Romanian civilians among the victims."Amidst the information regarding a tragic accident with multiple victims, the Romanian Embassy in Lisbon is in contact with the local authorities. The consul of the mission traveled to the scene to maintain direct contact with the emergency device organized by the Portuguese authorities. Up to this point, there is no information regarding the existence of any Romanian citizen victims and no requests for consular assistance have been received. We will inform as relevant information is obtained from the competent local authorities."

INITIAL NEWS

At least 15 people died and around 18 were injured after Lisbon's famous Gloria funicular collapsed on the evening of September 3, emergency services announced, writes Sky News.

The tram-like vehicle, popular with tourists, is destroyed, and emergency crews are pulling passengers from the wreckage of the funicular. Five people are in serious condition.

The accident happened around 6 p.m., at the start of the evening rush hour, although the exact cause is not yet known.

🇵🇹 | URGENT: El número de muertos por el descarrilamiento de un funicular en Lisboa rises to 15, according to CNN Portugal.

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— Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) September 3, 2025

The importance of the funicular

The Gloria Funicular, with a capacity of over 40 passengers, is one of three funiculars in Lisbon.

It connects the city center to the Bairro Alto neighborhood and is used by both residents and tourists.

Two carriages operate in parallel, going up and down the hill for several hundred meters.

The funicular is also classified as a national monument, being an appreciated historical and cultural landmark.

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.

"Lisbon is in mourning. It is a tragedy like we have never experienced before," said Mayor Carlos Moedas at the scene of the accident.