Lisbon, July 31, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Ministry of Justice on Friday confirmed that «there are no post-mortems left to be carried out» in connection with the Gloria funicular accident in Lisbon, providing this clarification after a PS councillor had raised questions about outstanding post-mortem procedures.
«There are no autopsies left to be carried out. We can confirm that all the autopsies were carried out within 24 hours and that all the reports have been finalised. There were 16 cases,» stated the Ministry of Justice in response to the Lusa news agency.
On Wednesday, at the public meeting of the Lisbon city council (CML), PS councillor Pedro Anastácio raised questions about outstanding post-mortem reports relating to the 16 fatalities in the Glória accident, which occurred almost 11 months ago, on 3 September 2025.
According to the Socialist councillor, at a meeting in June between Carris management and councillors from the municipal council «it was stated that some post-mortem examinations had not yet been carried out, specifically due to the public prosecutor's office.» «Have you taken any steps regarding the cases where autopsies have not even been completed? Have you intervened in any way? What have you done?», asked the PS councillor, addressing the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas (PSD), who provided no information on the matter.
In response to Lusa, the Ministry of Justice denied that there were any outstanding autopsies and stated that «the incorrect information disseminated undermines the credibility, integrity and professionalism of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences […] and contributes to eroding public confidence in institutions».
PS councillor Pedro Anastácio also sought an update on the compensation claims for the victims, pointing out that the latest information provided by the city's transport operator, Carris, indicated that only two people involved in the accident had completed their compensation claims, with compensation still outstanding for 38 injured people or the families of the fatalities.
In response, the vice-mayor, Gonçalo Reis (PSD), said that Carris's insurer, Fidelidade, «has a free hand to negotiate, as quickly as possible, as effectively as possible, in the fairest and most humane manner, all appropriate compensation», noting that all such compensation is fully covered by the insurance policy, whilst declining to reveal how many cases had already been concluded.
In this regard, the Lusa news agency asked Fidelidade, which revealed that, of the 40 registered victims, cases are at three different stages of settlement: «in some cases, compensation agreements have already been reached» and «in others, fewer in number, we are awaiting receipt of the legally required documentation to draw up a proposal».
«And in some cases involving victims with physical injuries, the claims are still at the medical-legal assessment stage, pending clinical stabilisation for the final assessment of any disabilities and the subsequent calculation of compensation,» the insurer stated, without providing further details.
According to Fidelidade, wherever the legal and documentary requirements of each case permitted, a compensation offer has been made.
Ensuring full compliance with its responsibilities and «proactively seeking the swiftest and most appropriate resolution for each victim and their family», Carris's insurer stated that, «regardless of how long each case may take», it will continue to support the victims and their families.
«Out of respect for their privacy and to protect their personal and medical data, Fidelidade does not comment, nor will it comment at any stage of the process, on individual cases, including, necessarily, the number and terms of any legal proceedings, amounts claimed and the terms of settlements already reached,» it noted.
The Lusa news agency also sought clarification from Carris, the municipal company that provides urban public transport services for passengers in Lisbon (buses, trams, lifts and escalators), but is still awaiting a response.
The derailment of the Glória funicular on 3 September resulted in 16 deaths and more than 20 injuries, including both Portuguese nationals and foreign nationals of various nationalities.
SSM/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
