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The tragic inclined railway crash in Lisbon that took sixteen lives in the start of the ninth month was caused by a damaged wire, per the formal investigation published on Monday.

The inquiry has recommended that the city's equivalent cable cars stay non-operational until their operational integrity can be completely confirmed.

Particulars of the Tragic Incident

The accident happened when the historic Glória funicular derailed and smashed into a building, shocking the capital and sparking significant concerns about the safety of ageing tourist attractions.

The nation's transport safety authority (the investigative body) stated that a wire linking two cabins had come loose shortly before the crash on the third of September.

Initial Findings

This preliminary analysis indicated that the line did not meet the required specifications established by the urban transit authority.

The wire did not comply with the specifications currently applicable to be used for the Glória tram.

This 35-page analysis additionally advised that other cable cars in the capital ought to stay non-operational until experts can confirm they have sufficient stopping mechanisms able of immobilising the vehicles in the scenario of a cable break.

Victims and Injuries

Of the sixteen victims, eleven were foreign nationals, comprising 3 UK citizens, two Korean nationals, two Canadians, one Frenchwoman, a Swiss national, one citizen of the United States, and a citizen of Ukraine.

The incident also harmed approximately twenty persons, among them 3 UK nationals.

The Portuguese fatalities comprised 4 staff members from the equivalent care facility, whose premises are positioned at the peak of the sheer side road accessed by the funicular.

Operational Context

The Elevador da Glória began operation in the late 19th century, using a system of counterweights to drive its 2 cars along its long track up and down a steep slope.

According to investigators, a routine inspection on the date of the accident found nothing unusual with the line that later broke.

The probers also reported that the conductor had engaged the funicular's braking system, but they were powerless to halt the carriage without the assistance of the balancing mechanism.

The complete incident occurred in merely less than a minute, as stated by the investigation.

Next Measures

This agency is scheduled to publish a definitive document with security guidelines within the coming year, though an interim update may provide additional details on the development of the inquiry.