Four of the 16 families who lost loved ones in the Lisbon Glória funicular crash will receive a combined payout of €2.3 million. The insurer, Fidelidade, confirmed the sum is intended for compensation and other costs for relatives of victims, nearly one year after the tragedy.
The compensation includes funeral and repatriation expenses, medical treatment, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, transportation, and loss of earnings. Fidelidade has reached agreements with four families and is continuing negotiations with seven others. One case is being handled under workplace accident legislation, while another is still in court proceedings due to a disagreement over the insurer's proposal. Settlements for the remaining cases are in the preparation phase, pending documentation and the determination of varying international legal requirements. Final compensation for injured parties cannot be assessed until their medical conditions stabilize and any long-term consequences are known.
This payout comes as the final technical report into the cause of the crash has been postponed until March 2027. Portugal's rail and aviation accident investigation authority, GPIAAF, cited the complexity of the technical examinations required for the report as the reason for the delay. Investigators face challenges due to the unique nature of the Glória and Lavra funiculars, with limited technical documentation available.
Ongoing investigations include chemical and physical tests on the funicular's cable and fixings, analyzing the metals, and cross-examining the cable used during the accident against original technical specifications. The braking systems of the damaged carriages are also being tested. These examinations, conducted with experts from the Public Prosecutor's criminal investigation, are expected to conclude by the end of November. Findings will then be reviewed before a draft report is prepared and relevant organizations are given an opportunity to respond.
Sixteen people died and 24 were injured when the Glória funicular derailed on September 3, 2025. Among the deceased were three British nationals, five Portuguese, two South Koreans, one Swiss, two Canadians, one Ukrainian, one American, and one French national. The incident occurred as the descending carriage veered off its tracks near Liberty Avenue, ultimately crashing into a building on Rua da Gloria.