A year has passed since the Glória disaster: A family wants an official apology from Carris

The wife and daughter of Ana Paula Lopes, who died in the Glória funicular accident in Lisbon, demand an official apology from Carris and compensation of 1 million 75 thousand euros. The family's lawyer argues that the apology request should be evaluated separately from determining legal responsibility for the accident.

As one year has passed since the Glória funicular accident in Lisbon, where 16 people lost their lives, the family of Ana Paula Lopes, who died in the accident, is waiting for an official apology from the municipal public transportation company Carris.

Nuno Pinto Coelho de Faria, the lawyer representing the husband of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa employee Ana Paula Lopes, Isaque Adam, and her daughter, announced that an official apology from Carris and a total compensation of 1 million 75 thousand euros were requested in the lawsuit filed by the family a few months ago.

Speaking to Lusa, the lawyer stated that Carris's main obligation was to transport passengers safely, and argued that the company should apologize to the family, regardless of who ultimately bears the legal responsibility for the accident.

According to Coelho de Faria, apologizing in Portugal is often considered an admission of fault. The lawyer defines the family's request as a clear expression of solidarity and sadness in the face of the damage caused, rather than an acceptance of legal responsibility.

In the statements he published after the accident, Carris expressed his sadness about the incident and published condolences for those who lost their lives. The request brought forward by the family's lawyer is an official apology to Ana Paula Lopes' family.

1 million 75 thousand euros compensation is requested

In the file brought to the court by the family, a total compensation of 1 million 75 thousand euros is requested for Isaque Adam and the couple's daughter.

The attorney stated that the offer made by Carris' insurance company differed significantly from the requested amount, but did not disclose the figure the insurance company offered.

It was reported that Carris' insurer, Fidelidade, has assumed a total cost of 2.3 million euros so far for compensation and other expenses related to the accident, and as of September 3, four compensation files related to the families of the deceased have been concluded.

Negotiations continue for another victim

Nuno Pinto Coelho de Faria also represents Hind Higuernane, a Moroccan citizen who lost her husband and was seriously injured in the accident.

According to the lawyer's statement, out-of-court negotiations are continuing in Higuernane's file and a final decision has not yet been made on the next legal step.

It is stated that Higuernane's injuries resulting from the accident continue to be treated and his physical limitations continue.

Families criticized communication and support

In the first year of the accident, some victims and relatives of those who lost their lives expressed their criticism of the Lisbon Municipality in an open letter.

In the letter, families and people affected by the accident stated that they did not feel adequately addressed in terms of communication and support over the past year.

The family's lawyer also said that Isaque Adam had difficulty obtaining information in the months after the accident and had to make an attempt to establish communication.

Lisbon Deputy Mayor Gonçalo Reis, in his statement shortly before the anniversary of the accident, argued that the municipality and Carris did their best to support the victims and their families. Reis stated that medical, psychological and social support was provided.

Therefore, there are different evaluations between the families of the victims and the local government regarding the adequacy of the support provided after the accident.

The investigation into the accident has not yet been completed.

Glória funicular derailed on September 3, 2025, 16 people died and 24 people were injured in the accident. Among the dead were Portuguese citizens as well as foreign tourists.

Technical and forensic investigations into the causes of the accident and possible responsibilities continue.

The prosecutor's office continues the investigation within the Lisbon Regional DIAP. The technical aspects of the accident are being investigated by GPIAAF.

It was specifically stated that the preliminary report previously published by GPIAAF should not be considered as the final result. For this reason, it is necessary to wait for the investigations to be completed to say that the legal and criminal responsibilities in the accident have been finalized.

Although a year has passed since the Glória accident, the process of compensation for the families, determining the technical causes of the accident and revealing possible legal responsibilities have not yet ended.

5. PTNEWSHUB REVIEW

We wish patience to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives in the Glória disaster. Even though a year has passed, it is important to remember that the pain of the lost people does not end with a calendar for their families.

6. SOURCES REVIEWED

Lusa, September 3, 2026: Statements of lawyer Nuno Pinto Coelho de Faria regarding the request of Ana Paula Lopes' family for an official apology from Carris and compensation of 1 million 75 thousand euros.

Ministério Público / Procuradoria-Geral da República: Official information of the criminal investigation into the Glória funicular accident.

Carris: Statements released following the accident, support information and company statement regarding the GPIAAF preliminary report.

Lusa, 2 September 2026: Status of investigation and compensation processes in the first year of the accident.

Lusa, 1 September 2026: Statement by Lisbon Deputy Mayor Gonçalo Reis on the support provided to victims.