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This deadly funicular incident in Portugal's capital that cost sixteen people in early September was attributed to a defective wire, as stated by the formal investigation issued on the start of the week.

The probe has urged that the city's equivalent transports remain out of service until their safety can be completely confirmed.

Details of the Tragic Accident

This collision occurred when the 19th-century Glória cable car went off track and collided into a building, shocking the capital and sparking grave worries about the safety of older landmarks.

The nation's transport safety authority (GPIAAF) noted that a line linking two cars had disconnected just before the incident on 3 September.

Early Findings

The early document indicated that the line did not meet the mandatory requirements established by the urban transit authority.

The wire failed to comply with the specifications currently applicable to be used for the Glória funicular.

The comprehensive report also recommended that other cable cars in the city should be kept out of service until inspectors can confirm they have effective braking systems capable of immobilising the cars in the scenario of a line snap.

Casualties and Injuries

Among the sixteen casualties, 11 were international visitors, including 3 UK nationals, 2 citizens of South Korea, 2 citizens of Canada, a Frenchwoman, a citizen of Switzerland, an American, and a citizen of Ukraine.

This crash also injured around twenty individuals, among them 3 UK nationals.

The Portuguese casualties featured four workers from the identical social care institution, whose offices are located at the peak of the steep street serviced by the funicular.

Background Context

This Glória funicular was inaugurated in 1885, employing a system of weight compensation to move its 2 wagons along its 870-foot track climbing and descending a sharp hill.

Based on investigators, a routine examination on the date of the accident detected nothing unusual with the cable that subsequently broke.

The investigators also noted that the conductor had applied the cable car's braking system, but they were unable to halt the vehicle without the assistance of the counterweight system.

This entire event unfolded in just less than a minute, as stated by the investigation.

Next Actions

The bureau is scheduled to issue a final document with operational recommendations within the following twelve months, though an preliminary update may provide additional updates on the progress of the probe.