Damaged Line Resulted in Portuguese Capital Cable Car Accident, Inquiry Reveals

The deadly cable car crash in Lisbon that claimed 16 lives in early September was triggered by a defective line, according to the official probe released on Monday.

This probe has recommended that the city's equivalent vehicles be kept halted until their safety can be fully assured.

Specifics of the Deadly Incident

The crash happened when the old Glória cable car left the rails and crashed into a structure, horrifying the metropolis and raising grave concerns about the reliability of ageing visitor sites.

The nation's air and rail accident investigations bureau (the investigative body) reported that a wire joining two cars had come loose just before the crash on the third of September.

Preliminary Results

This preliminary analysis confirmed that the cable did not meet the mandatory requirements outlined by the local transit authority.

The line did not comply with the requirements in force to be employed for the Glória tram.

The detailed report further advised that other cable cars in Lisbon should stay non-operational until inspectors can ensure they have sufficient braking systems designed of halting the cars in the event of a wire failure.

Victims and Casualties

Of the sixteen fatalities, eleven were international visitors, including three British nationals, 2 citizens of South Korea, two Canadians, one Frenchwoman, a Swiss national, one US national, and a Ukrainian.

This crash also injured around 20 persons, comprising 3 British citizens.

The local victims comprised 4 workers from the equivalent welfare organization, whose premises are located at the peak of the sheer street accessed by the cable car.

Operational Information

The Elevador da Glória first opened in the late 19th century, employing a mechanism of weight compensation to move its two cars along its 265-metre route ascending and descending a precipitous hill.

According to authorities, a regular inspection on the day of the crash detected no anomalies with the wire that subsequently snapped.

The experts also reported that the operator had activated the cable car's stopping mechanism, but they were incapable to stop the car without the support of the weight compensation system.

This entire incident transpired in merely less than a minute, according to the inquiry.

Next Actions

The bureau is anticipated to release a definitive report with security recommendations within the next year, though an preliminary report may offer further updates on the development of the investigation.

Claire Greene
Claire Greene

A passionate food writer and home cook with a love for British cuisine and sharing culinary adventures.

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