🔗 Share this article

This tragic cable car crash in Portugal's capital that took sixteen lives in the beginning of September was triggered by a faulty line, according to the formal investigation issued on Monday.

This investigation has urged that Lisbon's equivalent transports be kept non-operational until their safety can be completely assured.

Specifics of the Devastating Event

The collision occurred when the old Elevador da Glória left the rails and crashed into a edifice, horrifying the metropolis and raising significant fears about the safety of older tourist attractions.

The country's transport safety authority (GPIAAF) noted that a cable connecting two cars had come loose shortly before the incident on 3 September.

Initial Conclusions

The initial report confirmed that the line failed to meet the specified requirements outlined by the local transit authority.

This wire did not comply with the requirements mandated to be utilized for the Glória funicular.

The 35-page report further urged that other funiculars in the capital ought to stay non-operational until authorities can verify they have effective braking systems designed of stopping the vehicles in the scenario of a cable break.

Casualties and Casualties

Among the sixteen fatalities, eleven were international visitors, including 3 UK individuals, two citizens of South Korea, 2 Canadian nationals, a citizen of France, a Swiss national, an US national, and one citizen of Ukraine.

This incident also injured approximately 20 people, among them 3 British citizens.

The local fatalities comprised four employees from the equivalent social care institution, whose workplace are situated at the summit of the sheer street serviced by the cable car.

Historical Details

The Glória funicular was inaugurated in the late 19th century, utilizing a system of balancing weights to move its two wagons along its 870-foot track climbing and descending a precipitous hill.

As per investigators, a regular check on the day of the incident found no anomalies with the cable that eventually failed.

The probers also reported that the conductor had activated the vehicle's stopping mechanism, but they were incapable to stop the carriage without the assistance of the weight compensation system.

The complete event occurred in only 50 seconds, per the inquiry.

Next Measures

The bureau is expected to publish a final analysis with security guidelines within the coming year, though an interim document may deliver further information on the development of the probe.