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This tragic funicular accident in Lisbon that took 16 victims in the start of the ninth month was caused by a defective cable, as stated by the formal investigation released on the start of the week.

The inquiry has urged that the city's similar vehicles stay out of service until their operational integrity can be thoroughly verified.

Details of the Deadly Event

This collision took place when the old Glória cable car left the rails and crashed into a structure, stunning the city and raising grave concerns about the security of ageing tourist attractions.

Portugal's transport safety authority (the investigative body) noted that a line joining two cars had come loose just before the incident on the third of September.

Early Conclusions

This initial document confirmed that the wire did not meet the mandatory requirements set by the city's public transport company.

The wire did not comply with the requirements in force to be employed for the Glória cable car.

The detailed document further recommended that the remaining cable cars in Lisbon must be kept out of service until inspectors can ensure they have effective stopping mechanisms capable of halting the cabins in the event of a cable break.

Casualties and Casualties

Of the 16 victims, 11 were foreign nationals, including 3 UK citizens, 2 citizens of South Korea, two Canadian nationals, a French national, a citizen of Switzerland, one American, and one Ukrainian national.

The incident also injured around twenty persons, including 3 British citizens.

The national victims comprised 4 employees from the same care facility, whose workplace are positioned at the peak of the steep alley serviced by the funicular.

Historical Information

This Glória funicular first opened in 1885, utilizing a method of weight compensation to drive its two cars along its 870-foot track ascending and descending a precipitous hill.

Based on investigators, a regular examination on the date of the crash identified nothing unusual with the line that eventually failed.

The experts also stated that the operator had activated the vehicle's brakes, but they were incapable to stop the car without the function of the weight compensation system.

The whole crash unfolded in merely less than a minute, according to the probe.

Next Actions

The agency is scheduled to issue a definitive analysis with operational guidelines within the coming year, though an intermediary document may provide further details on the progress of the probe.