The tragic inclined railway accident in Portugal's capital that cost 16 victims in the start of the ninth month was caused by a damaged cable, as stated by the formal probe released on Monday.
The inquiry has urged that the city's comparable vehicles stay out of service until their security can be thoroughly confirmed.
Details of the Tragic Accident
This accident took place when the historic Glória cable car left the rails and smashed into a structure, horrifying the city and highlighting serious concerns about the security of historic visitor sites.
The country's transport safety authority (the bureau) reported that a wire joining two compartments had disconnected just before the incident on 3 September.
Initial Findings
This preliminary report indicated that the cable did not meet the required specifications set by the city's public transport company.
This cable did not comply with the requirements in force to be utilized for the Glória funicular.
The detailed analysis further advised that all cable cars in the capital should remain non-operational until experts can confirm they have effective brakes designed of halting the vehicles in the case of a line snap.
Fatalities and Casualties
Among the sixteen victims, eleven were foreign nationals, featuring 3 UK individuals, 2 South Koreans, two Canadian nationals, one French national, one Swiss national, an US national, and a Ukrainian national.
This accident also harmed about twenty individuals, including 3 Britons.
The national victims included 4 staff members from the same welfare organization, whose offices are located at the summit of the sheer side road serviced by the funicular.
Operational Details
The Glória was inaugurated in the late 19th century, employing a mechanism of weight compensation to drive its two cars along its 870-foot route climbing and descending a precipitous hill.
Based on authorities, a standard check on the day of the accident found nothing unusual with the wire that eventually snapped.
The experts also reported that the driver had engaged the cable car's stopping mechanism, but they were incapable to stop the vehicle without the support of the balancing mechanism.
This whole event unfolded in merely under a minute, per the inquiry.
Future Measures
The investigative body is expected to publish a final report with safety suggestions within the next year, though an intermediary report may provide further updates on the status of the probe.
