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The fatal inclined railway incident in Lisbon that claimed 16 victims in the beginning of September was caused by a damaged cable, per the formal probe released on Monday.

This inquiry has urged that Lisbon's equivalent cable cars remain non-operational until their security can be fully assured.

Details of the Tragic Event

The accident occurred when the historic Elevador da Glória derailed and smashed into a building, stunning the capital and sparking serious concerns about the reliability of ageing visitor sites.

The country's air and rail accident investigations bureau (the investigative body) stated that a line joining two cars had come loose moments before the tragedy on September 3rd.

Early Findings

The preliminary report indicated that the line was not up to the required specifications set by the urban public transport company.

The wire was not in compliance with the standards currently applicable to be utilized for the Glória funicular.

The 35-page report additionally urged that the remaining cable cars in the capital must be kept suspended until inspectors can confirm they have sufficient braking systems capable of halting the cars in the scenario of a wire failure.

Victims and Harm

Among the sixteen victims, eleven were foreign nationals, including three British citizens, 2 Korean nationals, two Canadians, one French national, one Swiss, one American, and a Ukrainian national.

The incident also harmed around twenty people, including 3 British citizens.

The national fatalities featured 4 employees from the identical care facility, whose offices are located at the summit of the sheer street accessed by the inclined railway.

Historical Context

This Glória funicular was inaugurated in the late 19th century, utilizing a method of balancing weights to move its 2 compartments along its 870-foot track climbing and descending a steep slope.

According to the bureau, a standard inspection on the morning of the accident found no issues with the cable that later broke.

The experts also noted that the operator had activated the cable car's stopping mechanism, but they were incapable to stop the carriage without the function of the counterweight system.

This whole incident unfolded in just 50 seconds, per the inquiry.

Next Measures

This investigative body is expected to issue a definitive analysis with safety recommendations within the next year, though an interim document may offer additional information on the development of the investigation.