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This fatal funicular accident in Portugal's capital that claimed 16 lives in early September was attributed to a defective line, as stated by the authoritative inquiry released on Monday.

The inquiry has urged that Lisbon's equivalent cable cars stay out of service until their operational integrity can be fully assured.

Specifics of the Devastating Accident

The accident took place when the old Glória funicular left the rails and crashed into a edifice, shocking the metropolis and raising grave concerns about the security of older tourist attractions.

Portugal's accident investigation agency (the bureau) noted that a wire connecting two cabins had come loose moments before the crash on September 3rd.

Initial Findings

The early document indicated that the wire did not meet the mandatory standards set by the city's public transport company.

The line did not comply with the standards mandated to be used for the Glória tram.

This detailed analysis additionally urged that the remaining funiculars in Lisbon ought to be kept suspended until authorities can confirm they have effective braking systems able of halting the cabins in the scenario of a line snap.

Casualties and Harm

Among the 16 fatalities, 11 were international visitors, including 3 UK nationals, two citizens of South Korea, 2 citizens of Canada, one French national, one Swiss, one American, and a citizen of Ukraine.

The incident also harmed about twenty people, among them three British citizens.

Among the local casualties included four workers from the identical welfare organization, whose premises are located at the summit of the steep side road used by the cable car.

Background Information

The Glória began operation in 1885, employing a system of balancing weights to propel its two wagons along its 870-foot track up and down a sharp slope.

As per authorities, a standard check on the date of the accident detected no issues with the wire that later broke.

This probers also reported that the conductor had engaged the funicular's stopping mechanism, but they were incapable to prevent the vehicle without the support of the counterweight system.

The complete incident occurred in merely under a minute, per the inquiry.

Next Actions

This bureau is scheduled to issue a final document with security suggestions within the coming year, though an preliminary report may provide additional information on the development of the inquiry.