Minute of Silence Held in Riga for Lisbon's Tragic Accident
In a poignant moment before the EuroBasket 2025 round of 16 match between Portugal and Germany, a minute of silence was observed at the Xiaomi Arena in Riga, Latvia. This gesture paid tribute to the victims of the Gloria Funicular derailment in Lisbon, which occurred on Wednesday and resulted in 16 fatalities and around 20 injuries.
Key Attendees and Tributes
Present at the event were Pedro Dias, the Secretary of State for Sports, and Manuel Fernandes, President of the Portuguese Basketball Federation. Also in attendance were notable figures such as Jorge Garbajosa, President of FIBA Europe, and Spanish basketball star Rudy Fernández.
The silence, though lasting less than a full minute, served as a solemn reminder of the tragedy that has deeply affected Portugal. In response, the Portuguese government declared a national day of mourning on Thursday, which was widely observed across the country.
Background on the Gloria Funicular
The Gloria Funicular, a historic cable car in Lisbon, connects Restauradores to the Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara in the Bairro Alto district. Covering a route of approximately 265 meters, it is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. The accident has raised concerns about safety and maintenance protocols for such infrastructure.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!