Lisbon Funicular Crash: Faulty Cable Implicated as Investigations Unfold

A tragic accident in early September involving the historic Elevador da Glória funicular in Lisbon has shocked the Portuguese capital, claiming the lives of 16 people. An official inquiry revealed on Monday that a faulty cable was the primary cause of the crash, leading to urgent concerns about the safety of the city's aging transportation systems. The funicular, a beloved tourist attraction that first opened in 1885, crashed into a building after derailing. The Portuguese air and rail accident investigations bureau (GPIAAF) disclosed that a connecting cable between the two cabins of the funicular had disconnected shortly before the incident on September 3rd. In its preliminary report, the GPIAAF highlighted that the cable in question was not compliant with the safety standards set by the city’s transport operator, CCFL. The report, encompassing 35 pages of detailed findings, emphasized the need for thorough inspections before the city’s funiculars can return to operation. Following the accident, which injured about 20 others, all of the city’s funiculars have been suspended from service. The GPIAAF has mandated that these vehicles remain grounded until it is confirmed that they possess braking systems capable of securing the cabins in the event of a cable failure. Among the 16 victims of this tragic crash, eleven were foreign nationals, including three UK citizens, two South Koreans, two Canadians, one Frenchwoman, one Swiss national, one American, and one Ukrainian. The accident also led to injuries for several others, including three Britons. Notably, four of the deceased were staff from a social care institution located at the top of the steep street serviced by the funicular. The investigation revealed that a routine inspection conducted earlier the same day showed no abnormalities regarding the cable that later snapped. While the driver activated the funicular's brakes, they failed to stop the carriage from hurtling down the hill, with the entire ordeal unfolding in less than a minute. As authorities continue to investigate the particulars of the incident, a final report with comprehensive safety recommendations is expected within a year. However, an interim update could provide the public with ongoing insights into the inquiry’s progress. The unfortunate event underscores critical safety concerns regarding older transportation systems, magnifying the need for stringent safety checks and maintenance protocols. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2