Mystery on the Tracks: CCTV Footage and the Lisbon Glória Funicular Tragedy
On September 3, 2025, at approximately 6:05 p.m., Lisbon’s Elevador da Glória, a historic funicular connecting Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto, derailed in a catastrophic accident that killed 16 people and injured 23 others. The 42-second disaster, caused by a snapped cable, has left Portugal reeling and sparked intense investigations into the safety of one of Lisbon’s most iconic tourist attractions. Now, a new detail has emerged, adding an element of intrigue: CCTV footage captured a mysterious figure walking along the funicular tracks hours before the crash. While police have not confirmed whether this is linked to the incident, the discovery has fueled speculation about potential sabotage, human error, or an unrelated coincidence. This article explores the tragedy, the CCTV mystery, and the ongoing quest for answers.
The Elevador da Glória: A Lisbon Icon
Since its opening in 1885, the Glória funicular has been a beloved symbol of Lisbon, ferrying approximately three million passengers annually up and down the 275-meter steep incline of Calçada da Glória. Operated by Carris, the municipal transport company, the funicular uses two counterweighted cars connected by a steel cable, powered by electric motors since its electrification in 1915. A national monument, it is both a vital transit link for locals and a must-see for tourists, offering a quick, scenic ride to Bairro Alto’s vibrant nightlife and panoramic views. However, on that fateful Wednesday evening, this emblem of Lisbon’s charm became the site of a devastating tragedy.
The Derailment: A 42-Second Nightmare
The accident occurred during the evening rush hour when the descending funicular car, traveling from Bairro Alto, derailed and hurtled down the incline at an estimated 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour) before crashing into a building near Avenida da Liberdade. Eyewitnesses described the car as “completely out of control,” with one telling Portuguese TV channel SIC that it “hit a building with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box.” The ascending car, starting from Restauradores Square, jolted violently, causing some passengers to leap from its windows in panic, though it sustained no major damage.
The crash claimed 16 lives, including five Portuguese nationals, three Britons, two Canadians, two South Koreans, one American, one Ukrainian, one Swiss, and one French national. Among the victims were André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, the funicular’s brakeman, and Pedro Manuel Alves Trindade, a former volleyball referee. Twenty-three others were injured, including a three-year-old German boy and his pregnant mother, with five in critical condition. Emergency services, comprising 62 personnel and 22 vehicles, worked for two hours to free survivors from the wreckage amid heavy smoke and debris.
The CCTV Footage: A Mysterious Figure
Adding a layer of mystery to the tragedy, reports have surfaced that CCTV footage captured a figure walking along the Glória funicular tracks hours before the derailment. While details remain scarce, posts on X and local media suggest the footage was recorded in the early hours of September 3, 2025, when the funicular was not in operation. The identity of the individual, their purpose, and whether their presence is linked to the crash remain unconfirmed by Portuguese authorities. The Judicial Police, leading the investigation, have stated only that they are reviewing all available evidence, including surveillance footage, but have not commented specifically on the figure.
The discovery has sparked widespread speculation. Some online commentators have suggested the possibility of sabotage, pointing to the snapped cable as a potential target for tampering. Others argue the figure could have been a maintenance worker, a homeless person, or someone unrelated to the incident, given the urban setting of Calçada da Glória. A preliminary report by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail (GPIAAF) found no evidence of sabotage, focusing instead on mechanical or maintenance issues, but the report did not address the CCTV footage directly. The lack of official confirmation has only deepened public curiosity, with some on X calling for the release of the footage to clarify its significance.
A Postcard and a Heartbeat Spike: Human Stories Amid the Tragedy
The derailment’s human toll has been underscored by poignant details. A young boy, possibly the three-year-old German victim, was found clutching a postcard with the tear-blurred message, “Wish you were here,” a heartbreaking relic of a trip cut short. Additionally, earlier reports noted a passenger’s smartwatch recording a significant heart rate spike minutes before the crash, possibly triggered by unusual noises or vibrations reported by witnesses. These elements, combined with the CCTV mystery, have transformed the tragedy into a story of both human loss and unresolved questions.
Investigation and Maintenance Controversies
The GPIAAF’s preliminary report, released on September 6, 2025, confirmed that the cable connecting the two funicular cars broke at its attachment point to the descending car, causing it to lose control. Despite the brakeman’s attempts to apply both pneumatic and manual brakes, the car could not be stopped. The report noted that a routine visual inspection was conducted nine hours before the crash, but the section of the cable that failed was not visible without dismantling the system, raising questions about inspection protocols.
Carris has maintained that all maintenance procedures were followed, with general maintenance last performed in 2022 and a recent check in 2024. However, the Carris workers’ union and Spanish newspaper El Pais have highlighted concerns about “poor maintenance” by MAIN – Maintenance Engineering, the contracted firm since 2011. A 2018 derailment on the same line, caused by wheel maintenance issues, has resurfaced as evidence of potential systemic problems, though that incident caused no injuries. The outsourcing of maintenance to external companies, which may lack the institutional knowledge to handle the funicular’s aging infrastructure, has come under scrutiny.
A City in Mourning, a World Watching
The tragedy has prompted a global outpouring of grief. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and other leaders expressed condolences, while the European Parliament lowered its flags to half-mast. In Lisbon, a memorial of flowers and candles has grown near the crash site, and a solemn mass was held at São Domingos church. Portugal observed a national day of mourning on September 4, with Lisbon declaring three days of municipal mourning. Events, including a book festival at Belém Palace, were canceled.
The crash has shaken confidence in Lisbon’s funiculars, leading to the suspension of all services for inspections. With 8.5 million tourists visiting Lisbon in 2024, the Glória funicular’s role as both a tourist attraction and a local lifeline has amplified calls for stricter oversight. Unlike other Portuguese funiculars, the Glória system is not supervised by the national transport authority, a gap that has drawn criticism from local media like Público.
The Road Ahead: Answers and Accountability
The mysterious figure on the CCTV footage, while unconfirmed as a factor in the crash, has added a layer of intrigue to an already complex investigation. As authorities analyze the footage alongside mechanical data, the focus remains on determining whether the cable failure resulted from wear, maintenance oversights, or an external act. The Judicial Police have established a hotline and email for families seeking information, and a broader preliminary report is expected within 45 days.
For Lisbon, the tragedy is a wound that cuts deep, touching both its residents and the millions who visit each year. The tear-stained postcard, the smartwatch anomaly, and now the shadowy figure on the tracks remind us that behind the mechanical failure lies a profoundly human story. As Portugal seeks answers, the world waits to see whether the CCTV footage will unlock a critical piece of the puzzle or remain a haunting footnote in one of Lisbon’s darkest days.
