A preliminary report into last month's funicular crash in Lisbon that killed 16 people has detailed a litany of failings. Portugal's Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau attributed the incident, which occurred when the Glória funicular derailed on September 3, to a defective underground cable that had never been certified for passenger use. The cable, acquired in 2022 by Carris, the operator of Lisbon's public transport, was cited as technically unsuitable.
The derailment led to the funicular crashing into a building, affecting 11 foreigners including three British nationals, and injuring 20 others. The report emphasized that Carris engineers failed to oversee the installation of the cable and that it was not tested prior to its use.
Moreover, the maintenance process by an external company contracted by Carris was criticized for allegedly declaring the funicular safe on the morning of the tragedy, with doubts cast over whether this inspection was conducted legitimately.
The emergency brake system, which the driver attempted to engage when the cable snapped, also failed due to lack of prior testing. While the report underscores the necessity of further investigation and states that the identification of blame should not be assumed at this stage, it has heightened concerns regarding public safety management in Lisbon.
Lisbon's Mayor Carlos Moedas reaffirmed that the crash stemmed from technical failures rather than political oversight, and Carris acknowledged the need for improvement while asserting that the cable's safe history prior to the accident complicates attributing sole responsibility for the crash.
In response to the findings, all cable transport systems in Lisbon have been halted until comprehensive safety checks are completed, focusing particularly on refining braking systems to prevent future accidents. Carris is also urged to establish a new safety management framework aligned with European best practices. The full investigative report is expected to take up to 11 months, although interim findings may be released sooner.
The derailment led to the funicular crashing into a building, affecting 11 foreigners including three British nationals, and injuring 20 others. The report emphasized that Carris engineers failed to oversee the installation of the cable and that it was not tested prior to its use.
Moreover, the maintenance process by an external company contracted by Carris was criticized for allegedly declaring the funicular safe on the morning of the tragedy, with doubts cast over whether this inspection was conducted legitimately.
The emergency brake system, which the driver attempted to engage when the cable snapped, also failed due to lack of prior testing. While the report underscores the necessity of further investigation and states that the identification of blame should not be assumed at this stage, it has heightened concerns regarding public safety management in Lisbon.
Lisbon's Mayor Carlos Moedas reaffirmed that the crash stemmed from technical failures rather than political oversight, and Carris acknowledged the need for improvement while asserting that the cable's safe history prior to the accident complicates attributing sole responsibility for the crash.
In response to the findings, all cable transport systems in Lisbon have been halted until comprehensive safety checks are completed, focusing particularly on refining braking systems to prevent future accidents. Carris is also urged to establish a new safety management framework aligned with European best practices. The full investigative report is expected to take up to 11 months, although interim findings may be released sooner.
