Defective Cable Resulted in Portuguese Capital Cable Car Crash, Investigation Determines
This fatal inclined railway crash in Portugal's capital that cost sixteen people in early September was caused by a damaged cable, according to the official inquiry issued on the start of the week.
The probe has recommended that the city's similar cable cars be kept non-operational until their safety can be thoroughly confirmed.
Details of the Tragic Event
This collision took place when the historic Glória cable car left the rails and smashed into a building, horrifying the capital and sparking grave concerns about the safety of ageing visitor sites.
The nation's accident investigation agency (GPIAAF) stated that a line joining two cars had come loose moments before the tragedy on the third of September.
Preliminary Results
The early report indicated that the cable failed to meet the mandatory standards established by the city's transit authority.
This cable was not in compliance with the specifications currently applicable to be utilized for the Glória tram.
This 35-page document further advised that all funiculars in the city should stay suspended until authorities can ensure they have sufficient stopping mechanisms capable of immobilising the cabins in the scenario of a line snap.
Fatalities and Harm
Among the 16 casualties, eleven were foreign nationals, including 3 British citizens, 2 citizens of South Korea, two Canadians, a citizen of France, one citizen of Switzerland, one American, and one Ukrainian national.
The crash also harmed approximately twenty people, including 3 Britons.
The Portuguese victims included four workers from the identical social care institution, whose workplace are located at the top of the sheer street accessed by the cable car.
Background Information
The Elevador da Glória began operation in 1885, employing a method of counterweights to move its 2 wagons along its 265-metre track up and down a precipitous slope.
As per the bureau, a standard inspection on the date of the incident detected nothing unusual with the line that subsequently failed.
The probers also noted that the operator had applied the vehicle's braking system, but they were unable to stop the car without the assistance of the counterweight system.
The entire incident transpired in just 50 seconds, as stated by the inquiry.
Future Steps
The investigative body is scheduled to release a final document with security suggestions within the next year, though an interim document may provide additional details on the progress of the inquiry.
