Defective Cable Caused Lisbon Cable Car Accident, Inquiry Determines

This deadly inclined railway incident in Portugal's capital that cost 16 people in the beginning of September was caused by a faulty cable, per the official investigation published on the start of the week.

The investigation has recommended that Portugal's capital's equivalent cable cars remain out of service until their safety can be completely assured.

Details of the Tragic Accident

This collision took place when the 19th-century Glória cable car left the rails and collided into a building, horrifying the metropolis and sparking grave fears about the safety of historic landmarks.

The nation's transport safety authority (GPIAAF) noted that a line joining two compartments had disconnected moments before the crash on September 3rd.

Preliminary Findings

The initial analysis confirmed that the wire failed to meet the required specifications established by the local transit authority.

The wire failed to comply with the requirements currently applicable to be used for the Glória cable car.

This 35-page report further advised that all inclined railways in the capital must stay suspended until experts can confirm they have adequate stopping mechanisms capable of stopping the vehicles in the case of a cable break.

Fatalities and Injuries

Of the 16 victims, eleven were non-Portuguese citizens, featuring 3 British individuals, 2 South Koreans, 2 Canadians, one Frenchwoman, a Swiss, an US national, and a Ukrainian national.

This incident also injured approximately twenty individuals, comprising 3 British citizens.

The Portuguese casualties comprised 4 employees from the same welfare organization, whose premises are positioned at the summit of the sharp street serviced by the cable car.

Historical Information

The Glória was inaugurated in the late 19th century, utilizing a method of weight compensation to propel its 2 wagons along its 870-foot route up and down a steep slope.

Based on investigators, a routine check on the date of the accident identified no anomalies with the cable that later snapped.

This experts also stated that the conductor had activated the funicular's brakes, but they were powerless to stop the carriage without the assistance of the weight compensation system.

This whole crash transpired in just under a minute, per the investigation.

Future Measures

This investigative body is anticipated to publish a definitive report with safety guidelines within the coming year, though an preliminary document may provide more updates on the progress of the probe.