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The Elevor de Gloria, Lisbon's beloved
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finicular, a city landmark since the
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late 19th century, was at the center of
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a sudden and heartbreaking tragedy. One
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of its car derailed on a steep curb,
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then crashed into a building with
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devastating force. In a single moment,
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at least 15 lives were lost and around
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80 people were hurt, several critically,
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including a child among being injured.
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Among the victims were tourists as well
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as locals, reflecting how this transport
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icon serves everyone. Emergency crews
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responded with urgency and compassion.
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Over 60 rescuers and more than 20
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vehicles raced in to reach those
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trapped, pulling everyone from the
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wreckage in just a couple of hours.
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Witnesses described the moment as
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terrifying. once said the car hit the
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building with brutal force and collapsed
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like a cardboard box. The Portuguese
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government solemnly declared a national
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day of mourning. The mayor spoke of a
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grim day for the city while leaders
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across Europe expressed hope that
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The Gloria phonicular had carried
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passengers since its opening in 1885.
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All regular maintenance checks had
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reportedly been carried out and work as
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recent as last year had been completed.
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Yet the accident still occurred,
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prompting urgent investigations. As
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authorities dig deeper into what went
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wrong, it is a moment to reflect not
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just on infrastructure and safety, but
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on the lives brought together by a
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single ride on that little tram.
