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This tragic funicular accident in Portugal's capital that claimed sixteen lives in early September was caused by a defective line, as stated by the official inquiry released on Monday.

The inquiry has recommended that Portugal's capital's equivalent transports be kept halted until their safety can be thoroughly assured.

Specifics of the Devastating Accident

This crash happened when the 19th-century Glória funicular left the rails and smashed into a building, horrifying the metropolis and highlighting serious concerns about the safety of older landmarks.

The country's accident investigation agency (GPIAAF) stated that a cable linking two cabins had come loose moments before the crash on the third of September.

Initial Results

The preliminary document indicated that the line did not meet the required specifications outlined by the local public transport company.

This wire was not in compliance with the requirements currently applicable to be employed for the Glória funicular.

This 35-page analysis also advised that the remaining inclined railways in the city ought to stay out of service until authorities can ensure they have adequate brakes designed of stopping the vehicles in the case of a cable break.

Casualties and Harm

Among the 16 victims, 11 were international visitors, featuring three UK citizens, 2 Korean nationals, two Canadian nationals, one Frenchwoman, a citizen of Switzerland, an US national, and one Ukrainian.

This accident also harmed about twenty individuals, among them three Britons.

Among the Portuguese victims featured 4 employees from the identical care facility, whose offices are positioned at the peak of the sharp alley accessed by the cable car.

Operational Context

This Glória funicular first opened in the late 19th century, employing a mechanism of counterweights to drive its two compartments along its 265-metre route up and down a sharp slope.

Based on investigators, a routine inspection on the day of the accident detected nothing unusual with the cable that subsequently failed.

This investigators also stated that the conductor had applied the funicular's stopping mechanism, but they were incapable to stop the carriage without the function of the counterweight system.

The whole crash transpired in just less than a minute, according to the investigation.

Upcoming Actions

This bureau is expected to issue a conclusive analysis with safety suggestions within the next year, though an intermediary update may deliver more details on the progress of the probe.