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This tragic funicular crash in Portugal's capital that took sixteen victims in early September was triggered by a damaged wire, per the official investigation published on the start of the week.

The inquiry has recommended that Lisbon's similar transports stay non-operational until their operational integrity can be completely assured.

Details of the Deadly Incident

This collision took place when the 19th-century Glória funicular went off track and smashed into a structure, shocking the metropolis and sparking significant concerns about the reliability of historic landmarks.

The country's transport safety authority (GPIAAF) reported that a wire connecting two cabins had come loose moments before the incident on September 3rd.

Early Conclusions

This preliminary document indicated that the wire failed to meet the specified specifications established by the local transport operator.

This cable was not in compliance with the requirements mandated to be used for the Glória cable car.

The detailed report also advised that all funiculars in the capital ought to remain suspended until authorities can confirm they have effective brakes capable of stopping the cars in the case of a line snap.

Victims and Harm

Among the sixteen casualties, 11 were foreign nationals, including three British citizens, 2 citizens of South Korea, 2 Canadian nationals, one Frenchwoman, one Swiss national, an American, and a Ukrainian.

The incident also hurt about twenty persons, including 3 British citizens.

The Portuguese fatalities comprised 4 workers from the equivalent social care institution, whose workplace are positioned at the peak of the steep side road serviced by the inclined railway.

Operational Information

This Glória funicular first opened in 1885, utilizing a system of weight compensation to drive its two wagons along its 265-metre path up and down a precipitous slope.

Based on authorities, a routine inspection on the morning of the incident detected no anomalies with the wire that later failed.

This experts also noted that the driver had engaged the cable car's stopping mechanism, but they were powerless to stop the vehicle without the assistance of the weight compensation system.

The entire incident transpired in only under a minute, as stated by the investigation.

Next Measures

The investigative body is scheduled to release a final analysis with operational guidelines within the next year, though an preliminary report may offer more details on the development of the probe.