A preliminary report into last month's funicular crash in Lisbon that killed 16 people, including three British nationals, has detailed a litany of failings.
Portugal's Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau stated that an underground cable—acting as a counterweight between two carriages—was defective and had never been certified for passenger transportation.
The cable, acquired in 2022 by Carris (the company running Lisbon's public transport), was found to be technically unsuitable.
The Glória funicular, a 140-year-old attraction popular with tourists, derailed and crashed into a building on September 3.
Among the deceased were 11 foreigners, including three British nationals, while another 20 individuals sustained injuries.
The preliminary report, released Monday, outlined a complete lack of oversight by Carris engineers, noting the cable was not tested before its installation. Maintenance, provided by an outsourced company, failed to ensure the funicular was safe, reportedly clearing it for operation that morning, though it is uncertain if the inspection occurred.
The report also criticized the regulatory body responsible for supervising Lisbon’s funiculars for not covering the Glória line. Furthermore, the emergency brake system, attempted by the driver during the incident, malfunctioned and was never effectively tested prior to the crash.
Lisbon's Mayor, Carlos Moedas, defended his oversight, asserting that the report highlights technical failures rather than political ones. Carris stated it couldn’t yet determine if the cable's deficiencies were connected to the accident, noting the cable had operated without incident for 601 days prior.
The full report will take about 11 months to complete, and all cable cars in Lisbon have been ordered out of service until proper safety checks are conducted.
