A tragic derailment of Lisbon’s historic Glória funicular railway has left 16 dead and 21 injured, after a carriage broke free and crashed into a hotel. The popular railway, dating back to 1885 and carrying around three million passengers annually, has been at the center of debate about overtourism. Residents say it has shifted from serving locals to functioning primarily as a tourist attraction, placing heavy strain on the system. Investigators believe a snapped haulage cable caused the accident, though union leaders had previously raised concerns about braking difficulties. Maintenance protocols were reportedly in place, but questions are mounting as the outsourced maintenance contract had expired just days before the crash. The incident prompted national mourning, suspension of other funiculars in the city, and renewed scrutiny over balancing heritage preservation, safety, and the pressures of mass tourism in Portugal’s capital.