One year after the Elevador da Glória funicular crash in Lisbon killed 16 people and injured 24, official transport safety investigators have delayed their final report until March 2027.
The final conclusions from Portugal's Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Aircraft and Railways were expected this week to coincide with the first anniversary of the September 3, 2025 disaster. However, the investigation agency stated in a note that the publication date has been pushed back due to the technical complexity of the expert evaluations required.
The preliminary document published by the safety agency one month after the crash remains the only official report released on the tragedy so far. The Elevador da Glória is a historic funicular line connecting Lisbon's Downtown district to Bairro Alto, operated by the city's public transport company Carris.
Prosecution investigation and suspects
In parallel with the technical safety inquiry, Portugal's Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. Prosecutors have officially named three formal suspects in the case, including the director of Carris.
The public prosecution service expects to conclude its preliminary inquiry and decide on formal indictments by the end of the year.
Union concerns and compensation
On Friday, the Union of Road and Urban Transport Workers of Portugal stated that it still has not received any answers regarding the disaster from either the Lisbon municipality or Carris.
The transport union also criticized the management of the funicular system, raising concerns over the fact that maintenance work on the equipment has been outsourced to external contractors.
Financial settlements have begun for some of those affected. An insurance company has already paid out compensation to the families of four victims killed in the crash.
Memorial service and reopening timeline
A memorial dedicated to the victims of the Elevador da Glória tragedy is scheduled to be inaugurated this week to mark one year since the fatal accident.
City transport plans indicate that the historic Elevador da Glória funicular is expected to return to public service in 2029.
