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This fatal funicular accident in Lisbon that claimed 16 victims in early September was caused by a damaged cable, as stated by the authoritative investigation published on Monday.

The investigation has recommended that the city's comparable vehicles remain out of service until their security can be completely confirmed.

Specifics of the Devastating Accident

The accident took place when the old Glória cable car went off track and smashed into a edifice, shocking the metropolis and highlighting significant fears about the reliability of ageing visitor sites.

The nation's accident investigation agency (the bureau) stated that a wire joining two cars had come loose moments before the crash on the third of September.

Preliminary Findings

The early analysis confirmed that the line failed to meet the specified requirements outlined by the city's transit authority.

This line failed to comply with the standards currently applicable to be utilized for the Glória funicular.

This 35-page report also advised that the remaining funiculars in the capital should remain non-operational until experts can confirm they have sufficient braking systems able of stopping the cars in the event of a line snap.

Victims and Harm

Among the sixteen fatalities, eleven were foreign nationals, comprising three UK citizens, 2 Korean nationals, two citizens of Canada, a citizen of France, one Swiss national, one citizen of the United States, and a Ukrainian national.

The crash also hurt around 20 persons, among them three UK nationals.

The national fatalities comprised 4 staff members from the equivalent care facility, whose premises are located at the peak of the sharp alley used by the funicular.

Background Information

This Glória was inaugurated in the late 19th century, employing a mechanism of balancing weights to drive its two wagons along its long route ascending and descending a sharp incline.

Based on the bureau, a regular examination on the date of the incident identified no anomalies with the wire that eventually failed.

The investigators also stated that the conductor had engaged the cable car's braking system, but they were unable to stop the vehicle without the function of the counterweight system.

The whole event transpired in just less than a minute, per the inquiry.

Upcoming Actions

This agency is anticipated to publish a final document with safety suggestions within the following twelve months, though an interim document may deliver more details on the development of the probe.