Glória Funicular accident: key questions remain one year on

One year after the Glória Funicular accident in Lisbon, three central issues remain unresolved: the exact cause, legal responsibility, and the final cost of compensation for victims and families. The technical investigation is incomplete, most compensation claims are pending, and Carris is preparing a new technological solution. The accident on September 3, 2025, killed 16 people and injured 24. Maintenance was contracted to MNTC, whose contract was revoked in November 2025 after a preliminary report identified maintenance problems. Only four of 16 death-related compensation claims are settled, with the insurer Fidelidade having assumed about 2.3 million euros in costs. A criminal investigation has named three suspects, including Carris's director, with a final report expected by early 2027. Carris plans to launch an international tender for a new funicular by March 2027, with inauguration targeted for 2029, replacing the wooden structure with modern materials.