🔗 Share this article

This deadly inclined railway incident in Portugal's capital that cost sixteen lives in early September was triggered by a faulty line, per the authoritative probe released on the start of the week.

This probe has urged that Portugal's capital's similar transports stay out of service until their safety can be fully verified.

Details of the Tragic Accident

The collision happened when the old Elevador da Glória derailed and collided into a edifice, stunning the city and highlighting serious worries about the safety of historic tourist attractions.

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

Early Conclusions

The initial document indicated that the wire did not meet the required requirements set by the local transit authority.

The cable did not comply with the requirements currently applicable to be employed for the Glória funicular.

The detailed analysis additionally recommended that the remaining inclined railways in the capital should be kept non-operational until authorities can confirm they have adequate stopping mechanisms able of immobilising the cars in the case of a cable break.

Victims and Injuries

Of the sixteen fatalities, eleven were foreign nationals, comprising three British nationals, 2 South Koreans, 2 Canadian nationals, one citizen of France, a Swiss national, one American, and one Ukrainian.

This incident also injured around 20 individuals, among them 3 UK nationals.

The national victims comprised four employees from the equivalent social care institution, whose premises are situated at the peak of the steep street accessed by the cable car.

Background Information

This Glória funicular was inaugurated in 1885, utilizing a system of weight compensation to drive its 2 cars along its long track climbing and descending a sharp slope.

As per authorities, a regular check on the morning of the accident found no anomalies with the line that subsequently failed.

This investigators also stated that the operator had activated the vehicle's stopping mechanism, but they were unable to prevent the car without the assistance of the balancing mechanism.

The whole event unfolded in only less than a minute, according to the inquiry.

Upcoming Steps

The agency is scheduled to issue a final document with safety recommendations within the coming year, though an preliminary update may offer more details on the progress of the inquiry.