Three months after the Glória funicular catastrophe in Lisbon in which 16 people – mainly tourists – died and many others were injured, technical inspections of all lifts and funicular railways are still ongoing in the capital, as is the ‘process of supporting the victims and their families’.
In response to Lusa news agency, regarding the fact that three months have passed since the horror, the local authority confirms that “technical inspections and the study of safe operating conditions are ongoing, so that after the technical reports are completed, the timetable for their entry into operation will be defined”.
In other words, all the funiculars, lifts and similar ‘closed to the public’ as a result of the Glória tragedy namely the Bica and Lavra lifts and Graça railway remain closed.
As for the internal investigation and the external audit into the circumstances of the incident, which Lisbon city council demanded from municipal public transport operator, Carris, “both are ongoing” and in the hands of “a company with experience in the sector, Centro CATIM Projetos”.
Lisbon city council did not respond to some of the questions, says Lusa – including those about the creation of a municipal fund to support the victims and the assessment of the outsourcing of lift maintenance services.
Lusa has also questioned Fidelidade, Carris’ insurer, which stated that “it has been committed from the outset to supporting the victims and their families, ensuring that the entire process is carried out in a fair and humane manner”.
“Fidelidade’s insurance cover with Carris is €50 million and, regardless of how long the process may take, Fidelidade will continue to support the victims and their families for as long as necessary,” said an official source from the insurance company, indicating that “it is still premature to identify an overall figure” for the allocation of support, including compensation.
Fidelidade supported the transport of family members, transfers and the organisation of funeral services, accommodation and travel for the victims’ families, and also offered to cover the costs of procedures that were handled directly by the families, as well as other types of expenses.
“In cases where the victims had other insurance policies, Fidelidade has covered expenses that are not covered by those policies,” said the source.
Regarding the 16 victims who died (Portuguese and foreigners), the insurance company assured that it is in contact with all family members and/ or their legal representatives and has requested the necessary documents to calculate compensation.
As to the identified injured, “Fidelidade is in contact with 19 people,” either directly or through family members and legal representatives, covering various types of expenses.
The delay in completing the compensation process is also related to the fact that it is still “necessary for the clinical situation of the injured to stabilise”, said the source – with Fidelidade guaranteeing payment for the necessary treatment so that the amount of compensation to be awarded can then be calculated.
The insurer also explained that the compensation figure for fatalities is calculated individually, taking into account factors such as the victim’s age, income and family situation.
With regard to Carris’ new management, since the board of directors chaired by Pedro de Brito Bogas, resigned on October 22, the city council said that “this is a matter that is being dealt with, and the new board of directors is expected to be presented shortly.” What this in effect means is that Carris is still being overseen by the board that has officially resigned.
The board’s resignation came after the conclusions of the preliminary report by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF), which detected faults and omissions in the maintenance of the Glória funicular, including that the cable connecting the two lift cabins, which broke, did not comply with specifications and was not certified for passenger transport.
On Tuesday, during the presentation of Lisbon’s draft municipal budget proposal for 2026, deputy mayor, Gonçalo Reis (PSD), who is responsible for Carris, as well as for Finance and Mobility, stated that the new management of this municipal public transport company in the city will be formalised “in the coming weeks.
“The current management will remain in office until the end of December, so we will find a transitional solution,” he said.
Source: Lusa
