A recent preliminary report into the tragic funicular crash in Lisbon last month has brought to light a series of critical failures that led to the devastating accident, which claimed the lives of 16 people, including three British nationals.
According to Portugal’s Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau, the cable that snapped—acting as a vital counterweight between the two carriages—was not only defective but had never received certification for passenger transportation. This crucial component was reportedly acquired in 2022 by Carris, the company responsible for Lisbon’s public transport.
The 140-year-old Glória funicular, a popular attraction for tourists, derailed and collided with a building on September 3rd. In addition to the fatalities, 20 other individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
The report highlights a significant lack of oversight from Carris engineers, with the cable not undergoing pre-installation testing. Furthermore, the supervision and maintenance of the funicular, which had been outsourced, appears to have been inadequate. While the system was reportedly given a clean bill of health on the morning of the disaster, it remains uncertain if this check was actually carried out.
Compounding these issues, the state body responsible for overseeing Lisbon’s funiculars failed to extend its coverage to the Glória funicular, despite it being a requirement. The report also indicates that the emergency brake system, which the driver attempted to engage when the cable failed, did not function correctly and had never been pre-tested.
Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, who was recently re-elected, stated that the report “reaffirms that the unfortunate tragedy… was due to technical and not political causes.” However, Carris has issued a statement noting that it is “not possible at this time to state whether or not the non-conformities in the use of the cable are relevant to the accident,” referencing the report’s observation that similar cables had been used for 601 days without incident. The company emphasized that while the cables were implemented under the current board, their acquisition process began under the previous administration.
The full investigation is expected to take approximately 11 months to complete. In the interim, all cable cars in Lisbon have been taken out of service pending essential safety checks.