Hind Iguernane and the Lisbon Funicular Tragedy: Negligence, Grief, and the Fight for Accountability
Survivor Hind Iguernane speaks out after the Lisbon funicular tragedy that killed 16 people, including her husband, Aziz Benharref. The 2025 Ascensor da Glória crash exposed major safety failures — from uncertified cables to poor maintenance — sparking outrage, resignations, and a global call for accountability in Portugal’s historic transport system.
On September 3, 2025, tragedy struck the heart of Lisbon when the historic Ascensor da Glória funicular — one of the city’s most iconic tourist attractions — derailed after its haulage cable snapped, killing 16 people and injuring many more.
A preliminary investigation has pointed to multiple layers of negligence, including the use of an uncertified cable, ineffective braking systems, and lax maintenance oversight by operator Carris.
The crash turned a beloved Lisbon landmark into a symbol of disaster, igniting global concern about public transport safety and the accountability of those responsible for maintaining historic systems.
Hind Iguernane’s Story: A Survivor’s Grief and Quest for Justice
Among the survivors is Hind Iguernane, a 39-year-old Ottawa resident who lost her husband, Aziz Benharref, in the accident. She suffered a fractured hip and shoulder and spent months bedridden, recovering from both physical and emotional trauma.
In a heartbreaking CBC interview, she said:
“Losing my husband in such a tragedy completely broke my world. Some days I manage to be OK, but other days are much harder.”
For Iguernane, the tragedy was not an unavoidable accident but the result of gross negligence. She and her family are now pursuing legal action, calling for transparency, accountability, and reform.
The Tragic Day: What Happened on September 3, 2025
The Ascensor da Glória, operational since 1885, connects Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto via a steep 17.7% incline. On that fateful evening, Car 1 — descending from the upper station — lost its grip on the cable only six meters into its route.
The brakeman immediately engaged both the pneumatic and manual brakes, but they failed to stop the runaway car. It accelerated down the narrow Calçada da Glória, eventually derailing and crashing into a building near a Subway restaurant.
- 16 people were killed (15 at the scene, one later in hospital).
- 27 passengers were on board, including tourists from 16 nationalities.
- Among the dead was Aziz Benharref, a 42-year-old Moroccan-Canadian engineer from Ottawa.
Eyewitnesses described “screams and chaos” as the funicular sped downhill. Emergency services — 62 personnel and 22 vehicles — arrived swiftly, but for many, it was too late.
An International Tragedy with Global Grief
The victims represented countries including Portugal, Canada, the UK, South Korea, France, the U.S., and Morocco.
For many families, what began as a sightseeing trip turned into a nightmare that spanned continents.
Reports indicate that Benharref switched seats with Iguernane moments before the crash, a gesture that may have saved her life. He was buried in El Jadida, Morocco, remembered by loved ones as a kind and selfless man.
Inside the Investigation: Systemic Failures Exposed
The GPIAAF preliminary report, released October 20, 2025, outlined severe failures that suggest the crash was entirely preventable.
| Issue Category | Findings |
|---|---|
| Cable Non-Compliance | Installed cable (6x36 WS-FC) was not certified for passenger use or swivel attachments — prone to torsional fatigue and internal strand fractures. |
| Brake System Failure | Both manual and pneumatic brakes were activated but lacked stopping power; emergency tests for cable failure were never conducted. |
| Maintenance Lapses | Maintenance outsourced since 2019; untrained personnel and outdated standards used. |
| Procurement Errors | Mismatched specifications in 2022; no verification during delivery or installation. |
| Safety Oversight | Staff believed the cable alone ensured safety — no systematic review of brake reliability. |
The investigation remains ongoing, but its preliminary findings have already led to the mass resignation of Carris’s board, including CEO Pedro de Brito Bogas, and suspension of Lisbon’s other funiculars (Bica and Lavra) pending inspection.
Government and Public Reaction
Following the report, Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro attended national memorials.
The tragedy sparked days of mourning and a heated debate over whether Lisbon’s heritage transport systems have sacrificed safety for nostalgia.
Social media erupted with emotional tributes, anger, and demands for reform. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) called for independent investigations, while some accused Carris of a “cover-up culture” long ignored by city officials.
Hind Iguernane’s Message to Authorities
Despite the resignations, Iguernane insists that justice has not been served.
“The report made it clear this was not an accident. It was the result of serious negligence,” she said.
“We don’t want money — we want truth.”
Her family is demanding a coroner’s report, criminal accountability, and direct acknowledgment from Portuguese officials. A GoFundMe campaign has supported her recovery, but Iguernane’s focus remains on preventing future tragedies.
A City’s Reckoning: Safety vs. Heritage
Lisbon’s funiculars — once symbols of old-world charm — now face a reckoning. The Ascensor da Glória, declared a national monument in 2002, represents both the pride and the peril of maintaining historic transport systems in a modern era.
The tragedy highlights the urgent need to balance heritage preservation with safety modernization, ensuring that the city’s icons don’t become instruments of disaster.
As the investigation continues into 2026, Hind Iguernane’s voice stands as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic lies a deeply personal story of love, loss, and resilience.