🔗 Share this article

This deadly cable car crash in Portugal's capital that cost sixteen lives in the start of the ninth month was attributed to a defective wire, per the official inquiry issued on Monday.

This investigation has urged that Portugal's capital's similar transports be kept out of service until their security can be thoroughly verified.

Specifics of the Tragic Accident

The collision occurred when the old Elevador da Glória left the rails and crashed into a structure, shocking the metropolis and highlighting serious fears about the safety of older landmarks.

The nation's air and rail accident investigations bureau (GPIAAF) stated that a wire connecting two cars had detached shortly before the incident on the third of September.

Early Findings

This early report confirmed that the cable was not up to the specified standards outlined by the local transport operator.

This wire was not in compliance with the requirements in force to be utilized for the Glória tram.

The 35-page report also urged that other funiculars in the city should remain suspended until inspectors can verify they have sufficient stopping mechanisms designed of immobilising the vehicles in the scenario of a cable break.

Fatalities and Casualties

Of the 16 victims, eleven were international visitors, including three British citizens, 2 South Koreans, two citizens of Canada, one citizen of France, a citizen of Switzerland, an American, and a Ukrainian national.

The crash also hurt around 20 individuals, among them 3 UK nationals.

The national fatalities comprised four workers from the equivalent welfare organization, whose premises are situated at the summit of the steep alley used by the inclined railway.

Operational Information

The Elevador da Glória was inaugurated in the late 19th century, employing a mechanism of counterweights to propel its two cars along its 870-foot track up and down a steep incline.

According to authorities, a routine examination on the date of the accident found nothing unusual with the wire that eventually broke.

The investigators also reported that the operator had applied the funicular's brakes, but they were incapable to stop the vehicle without the support of the counterweight system.

The whole event occurred in merely 50 seconds, per the probe.

Upcoming Measures

This agency is expected to issue a definitive report with safety guidelines within the next year, though an preliminary report may deliver additional details on the development of the probe.