Sonia Silva prepared to leave work on Wednesday evening when a colleague asked her to help with a quick task. This decision led her to miss her regular funicular ride down the hill with a work friend, who tragically lost her life when the funicular derailed and crashed into a building in Lisbon.
Upon arriving at the scene, Sonia was confronted with the aftermath of a disaster that resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including foreign nationals and workers from a local charity. The Portuguese Prime Minister referred to it as 'one of the biggest human tragedies of our recent history.'
Accompanied by national mourning, a service held in a church paid tribute to the victims, reflecting the profound loss felt by many within the community.
As Sonia and her colleagues reflected on the crash, feelings of overwhelming grief were palpable. Colleagues supported one another in grief, questioning how they would cope in the absence of their friends.
Investigations into what caused the crash are ongoing, with many raising concerns about overcapacity and maintenance issues of the historic funicular which has served Lisbon for over 140 years. Many have expressed their reluctance to use the funicular again, stating fears over its safety despite the commuting convenience it once provided.
