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A preliminary investigation into the Lisbon funicular accident last month, which resulted in 16 fatalities, has revealed a series of critical failures.
According to Portugal’s Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau, the underground cable acting as a counterweight between the two carriages was both defective and uncertified for passenger transport, ultimately leading to the crash.
The bureau indicated that the cable, deemed technically unsuitable, was acquired in 2022 by Carris, the operator of Lisbon’s public transport system.
The 140-year-old Glória funicular, a popular tourist attraction, derailed on September 3, colliding with a building.
Among the deceased were 11 foreign nationals, including three Britons, while an additional 20 individuals sustained injuries.
The preliminary report, issued on Monday, cited a lack of oversight by Carris engineers and the absence of pre-installation testing for the cable.
Furthermore, the supervision and maintenance of the funicular, outsourced by Carris, were found to be inadequate. The Glória funicular received clearance on the morning of the incident, though the validity of this check remains uncertain.
The report also stated that the emergency brake system, correctly engaged by the driver upon cable failure, malfunctioned and had never undergone prior testing.
The preliminary report emphasizes that the information gathered remains “incomplete,” necessitating further testing and analysis.
“The guilt or responsibility of any organization or person involved in the incident should not be presumed,” the report cautioned.
Lisbon’s Mayor Carlos Moedas, re-elected on October 12 despite accusations of oversight failures regarding the city’s funiculars, stated on SIC television that the report “reaffirms that the unfortunate tragedy… was due to technical and not political causes.”
Carris issued a statement emphasizing that “it is not possible at this time to state whether or not the non-conformities in the use of the cable are relevant to the accident,” referencing a passage in the report noting the same cables had been in use on the Glória funicular for 601 days without incident.
“At this point in time, it cannot be said whether the use of this type of non-compliant cable intervened, or what intervention it had, in the rupture… and it is certain for the investigation that there were other factors that had to intervene,” the statement added.
The company highlighted that while the cables were put into service under the current board of directors, who assumed office in May 2022, the acquisition process occurred under the previous board.
The full report is expected to be completed in approximately 11 months. Should delays occur, a more detailed interim report will be released.
In the interim, all Lisbon cable cars have been suspended from service pending the implementation of necessary safety checks.
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