🔗 Share this article

The deadly cable car incident in Lisbon that cost sixteen people in the beginning of September was caused by a faulty line, per the formal investigation released on Monday.

The probe has advised that the city's similar transports stay out of service until their safety can be thoroughly assured.

Particulars of the Tragic Accident

The crash happened when the 19th-century Elevador da Glória left the rails and collided into a building, shocking the capital and highlighting serious fears about the reliability of older visitor sites.

The nation's accident investigation agency (the investigative body) reported that a wire linking two cabins had disconnected shortly before the crash on 3 September.

Preliminary Findings

The early report indicated that the line was not up to the specified standards set by the local transit authority.

The cable did not comply with the specifications in force to be used for the Glória cable car.

This comprehensive analysis additionally advised that all funiculars in the city ought to be kept non-operational until experts can ensure they have sufficient braking systems capable of halting the vehicles in the case of a line snap.

Victims and Harm

Among the 16 casualties, eleven were international visitors, featuring three UK citizens, two Korean nationals, two Canadian nationals, a French national, one citizen of Switzerland, an US national, and a citizen of Ukraine.

The crash also harmed about 20 persons, including three British citizens.

Among the Portuguese fatalities included four staff members from the identical social care institution, whose workplace are situated at the summit of the sharp street serviced by the cable car.

Historical Information

This Glória funicular was inaugurated in the late 19th century, employing a mechanism of weight compensation to propel its two wagons along its 870-foot track up and down a sharp hill.

As per the bureau, a routine examination on the date of the incident found nothing unusual with the wire that subsequently snapped.

The investigators also stated that the conductor had engaged the cable car's brakes, but they were incapable to stop the car without the function of the counterweight system.

This whole incident occurred in only 50 seconds, per the probe.

Future Measures

This investigative body is expected to publish a final document with safety recommendations within the following twelve months, though an intermediary update may offer further information on the status of the investigation.