🔗 Share this article

This deadly inclined railway crash in Lisbon that claimed 16 victims in early September was caused by a defective wire, as stated by the formal inquiry published on Monday.

This probe has recommended that Lisbon's similar vehicles stay out of service until their security can be thoroughly assured.

Specifics of the Tragic Incident

This accident happened when the historic Glória funicular went off track and smashed into a structure, shocking the metropolis and raising significant concerns about the reliability of ageing visitor sites.

The nation's air and rail accident investigations bureau (GPIAAF) noted that a line connecting two compartments had come loose moments before the crash on the third of September.

Initial Results

This early document confirmed that the line was not up to the specified specifications set by the city's public transport company.

This wire did not comply with the standards in force to be used for the Glória cable car.

The 35-page analysis also recommended that other cable cars in Lisbon must be kept out of service until experts can ensure they have adequate brakes capable of immobilising the vehicles in the scenario of a wire failure.

Casualties and Casualties

Among the sixteen fatalities, 11 were non-Portuguese citizens, including three British nationals, 2 citizens of South Korea, two citizens of Canada, a French national, one Swiss national, one American, and a Ukrainian.

The incident also hurt about twenty persons, comprising 3 Britons.

Among the local fatalities included four employees from the same care facility, whose premises are located at the summit of the sharp alley serviced by the funicular.

Operational Details

The Elevador da Glória first opened in the late 19th century, employing a mechanism of balancing weights to drive its two compartments along its 870-foot path up and down a sharp hill.

Based on investigators, a standard examination on the morning of the crash found no anomalies with the cable that eventually failed.

This investigators also reported that the operator had applied the vehicle's stopping mechanism, but they were powerless to halt the carriage without the assistance of the balancing mechanism.

This entire incident occurred in just under a minute, as stated by the probe.

Future Actions

This agency is expected to issue a definitive report with safety recommendations within the following twelve months, though an preliminary report may provide more information on the status of the probe.