Gustavo Scofano, a Brazilian resident of Portugal, said he feels expelled from Lisbon after surviving a tram derailment [1, 2].
The incident highlights the lasting psychological impact of urban transit accidents on residents and the resulting struggle to feel safe in a familiar city.
Scofano said the moments of the crash were a period of intense terror. He recalled the immediate danger of the derailment and the belief that his life was ending [1, 2]. The experience left him with a profound sense of vulnerability regarding the city's infrastructure and public safety.
"Tenho a sensação muito clara de que ia morrer," Scofano said [1, 2].
In English, he said he had a very clear feeling that he was going to die. He also described the fear of being crushed during the event [1, 2]. This trauma has fundamentally altered his relationship with the city of Lisbon, a place he previously called home.
Despite surviving the physical event, Scofano said the mental toll has been severe. The fear of future accidents and the memory of the crash have created a barrier between him and his daily life in Portugal [1, 2].
"Me sinto expulso de Lisboa," Scofano said [1, 2].
In English, he said he feels expelled from Lisbon. This sentiment reflects a loss of belonging and security, as the trauma of the derailment makes the city feel hostile rather than welcoming [1, 2].
“"Tenho a sensação muito clara de que ia morrer,"”
This account illustrates the intersection of physical infrastructure failure and mental health. When a survivor of a public transit accident expresses a feeling of being 'expelled' from their city, it suggests that the trauma transcends the physical injury, creating a psychological displacement that can hinder reintegration into urban society.
