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The tragic funicular accident in Portugal's capital that claimed sixteen lives in the start of the ninth month was caused by a damaged wire, per the formal investigation released on Monday.

This investigation has recommended that the city's comparable cable cars remain halted until their security can be completely assured.

Particulars of the Devastating Event

This accident happened when the old Glória funicular left the rails and crashed into a structure, shocking the metropolis and highlighting significant worries about the security of historic tourist attractions.

Portugal's transport safety authority (the bureau) reported that a line linking two compartments had disconnected moments before the incident on 3 September.

Preliminary Findings

The preliminary analysis confirmed that the cable failed to meet the specified specifications outlined by the city's transit authority.

The wire was not in compliance with the specifications currently applicable to be used for the Glória tram.

This 35-page analysis also recommended that the remaining cable cars in Lisbon must be kept non-operational until authorities can confirm they have adequate braking systems capable of immobilising the cars in the case of a cable break.

Victims and Harm

Of the sixteen casualties, eleven were non-Portuguese citizens, comprising 3 UK individuals, 2 Korean nationals, 2 Canadian nationals, a citizen of France, one Swiss national, one American, and one citizen of Ukraine.

The incident also injured approximately twenty individuals, among them 3 British citizens.

Among the Portuguese casualties featured four employees from the identical welfare organization, whose offices are located at the summit of the sheer side road accessed by the funicular.

Historical Information

This Glória began operation in 1885, utilizing a mechanism of weight compensation to drive its 2 compartments along its 870-foot track climbing and descending a sharp incline.

Based on the bureau, a regular examination on the day of the crash detected nothing unusual with the cable that eventually failed.

The experts also reported that the operator had applied the funicular's stopping mechanism, but they were unable to prevent the carriage without the function of the balancing mechanism.

The complete incident occurred in just under a minute, according to the probe.

Next Actions

The bureau is expected to publish a definitive document with safety suggestions within the next year, though an preliminary report may provide further details on the progress of the inquiry.