Alexandra Leitão mourns on a 'tragic day'

I committed to this newspaper to write an article for this week's edition.

I was asked to write about the local elections, but I'm sure you'll forgive me for not doing so today.

Today it doesn't make sense, because I'm writing the day after one of the biggest tragedies Lisbon has experienced in recent years – perhaps even the biggest tragedy to occur in Lisbon this century – which resulted in the loss of human lives and injuries, including serious injuries.

A day when an iconic symbol of the city of Lisbon was the scene of a terrible accident.

A tragic day of deep sadness for us all.

My first words are of solidarity with the victims and their families at this time of profound grief. These are people whose lives were destroyed by an accident that was likely preventable.

The second is to acknowledge and thank all those who, from the very beginning, were on the ground: firefighters, INEM teams, civil protection, municipal police and other police forces, as well as all the authorities who ensured the rescue operations with exemplary dedication, including health professionals.

I would also like to publicly express my deepest condolences to the Carris workers. The Lisbon transport company is an essential and strategic part of the city, and in this terrible accident, it also lost one of its own. It's always worth remembering the importance of the public service these professionals provide every day. I had the opportunity to speak with Carris workers just hours after the accident, and their dismay, as well as their concern for the safety conditions in which they work, touched me deeply.

A special word also goes to the workers at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa—which I visited last week—affected by this tragedy. I extend my condolences to the Ombudsman and, through him, to the institution and all its employees.

Also on the same day, I contacted the Mayor of Lisbon.

Lisbon needs care and to be cared for. Lisbon needs a safe alternative.

But that's for another article because Lisbon experienced a tragedy and it's about solidarity and unity that we should talk about today.