Lisbon, March 4, 2026 (Lusa) - The school grants for the children of André Marques, driver of the Gloria funicular who died in the accident in the Portuguese capital six months ago, has not yet been paid, Lisbon city council acknowledged on Wednesday when questioned by the Socialists (the PS).

A PS source at Lisbon city council (CML) told the Lusa news agency that the executive led by mayor, Carlos Moedas, acknowledged at today's private council meeting that, six months after the accident at the Glória funicular, the school grant for the children of brake guard André Marques has not yet been paid, nor have they been provided with the psychological support they are entitled to.

The issue was raised by PS councillor Alexandra Leitão during the debate on the status of support measures for the victims and their families. On the occasion, the PS councillors presented a vote of tribute to the victims of the accident, marking the six months that have passed.

The Glória funicular, which is very popular with tourists in the centre of Lisbon, derailed on 3 September, with one of the two cabins crashing violently into a building, causing 16 deaths and more than 20 injuries among Portuguese and foreign nationals of various nationalities.

According to the same source, the socialist councillor insisted on the need for concrete answers regarding the follow-up of the victims and their families, as well as the fulfilment of the support announced after the accident.

Alexandra Leitão also questioned the council about the status of the process, including the payment of compensation, the social support provided and the disclosure of clear information about the conditions under which the lift may reopen, arguing that the local authority should ensure transparency and public clarification.

According to the Socialist Party, faced with reports of delays in the payment of compensation to the victims of the accident, the council referred the matter to the insurance company responsible.

In a response, to which Lusa had access, sent today by the office of the vice-mayor of the city council, Gonçalo Reis, to a request from the communists (PCP) presented last month, questioning what has been and is being done to respond to the needs of the injured, their families and the families of the victims who died, the vice-mayor emphasises that "it has been constantly monitoring the public transport operator, Carris, and the insurance company Fidelidade in the provision of support".

"According to Carris, in the case of the brakeman André Marques, payment for the funeral ceremonies has been ensured and the process of awarding a school grant to his children is underway, as well as regular face-to-face psychological support for the family," the council points out.

As for the other injured and/or their families, the council states that "they have received continuous support, with coverage of expenses, logistical support and scheduling of face-to-face meetings with the current Board of Directors of Carris".

Six months after the derailment, the processes to support the victims and their families are still being developed by Carris' insurer, Fidelidade, which has indicated that compensation agreements have already been concluded.

"The compensation processes are currently at different stages of settlement, depending on the nature and clinical evolution of each situation: in some cases, compensation agreements have already been concluded; in others, we are awaiting receipt of the legal documentation necessary to formulate a compensation proposal," said an official source at Fidelidade, in response to the Lusa agency.

The insurer said that, "in several situations involving victims with bodily injuries," the process is "still in the medical-legal consolidation phase," and it is necessary to wait for clinical stabilisation for a definitive assessment of any disabilities and subsequent calculation of compensation.

Without providing specific details on the support already provided to the victims, the insurer said that, to date, duly proven expenses covered by the applicable insurance policies have been secured and settled, namely medical, hospital and pharmaceutical expenses, travel, repatriation, funeral services and other expenses resulting from the accident.

Recalling that the insured capital contracted with Carris is €50 million, the insurer said that "the full settlement of the claim will be conducted in accordance with the law, with technical and human rigour, regardless of the time required to complete each case".

In response to Lusa, the municipal transport company Carris, whose sole shareholder is the Lisbon city council, said that it has been in contact with the victims and/or their families, in addition to the work being carried out by the insurer Fidelidade.

MPE/AYLS // AYLS

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