Faulty Cable Caused Lisbon Cable Car Accident, Inquiry Finds
The fatal funicular incident in Portugal's capital that cost 16 people in the start of the ninth month was triggered by a faulty cable, per the formal inquiry published on Monday.
The probe has advised that Portugal's capital's equivalent cable cars be kept out of service until their operational integrity can be thoroughly assured.
Details of the Tragic Event
The accident happened when the 19th-century Elevador da GlĂłria derailed and smashed into a building, stunning the capital and sparking grave concerns about the reliability of ageing tourist attractions.
The country's air and rail accident investigations bureau (the bureau) noted that a line connecting two compartments had come loose shortly before the incident on the third of September.
Early Results
This initial document indicated that the line was not up to the specified requirements established by the city's transit authority.
The cable failed to comply with the requirements in force to be used for the GlĂłria tram.
The 35-page report additionally advised that other cable cars in the city must be kept suspended until experts can ensure they have sufficient brakes capable of immobilising the cabins in the event of a wire failure.
Fatalities and Injuries
Among the sixteen casualties, 11 were international visitors, featuring 3 British nationals, two South Koreans, two Canadians, one citizen of France, one citizen of Switzerland, one US national, and a citizen of Ukraine.
This accident also injured approximately twenty people, comprising three Britons.
The national casualties featured four employees from the same care facility, whose offices are positioned at the top of the sheer street serviced by the funicular.
Background Details
This Elevador da GlĂłria first opened in 1885, employing a method of balancing weights to propel its 2 compartments along its 870-foot route climbing and descending a precipitous hill.
As per authorities, a regular check on the day of the crash found no issues with the line that eventually snapped.
The investigators also noted that the operator had applied the funicular's braking system, but they were unable to stop the car without the assistance of the counterweight system.
The entire crash transpired in merely less than a minute, as stated by the investigation.
Future Actions
This agency is scheduled to release a definitive document with security recommendations within the coming year, though an interim report may deliver further information on the progress of the probe.
