Lisbon tragedy: Report reveals funicular accident was caused by cable failure

In the heart of Lisbon, a tragic incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when the Gloria funicular, a national monument dating from 1914 and a popular attraction for tourists, experienced a catastrophic failure.

At around 6pm, Cabin No.2 at the bottom of the funicular, operated by the Lisbon public transport company Carris (Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa), jerked backward sharply and partially left the tracks. The cable connecting Cabin No.1 at the top failed at the point of attachment inside the upper trolley. As a result, the funicular crashed, traveling approximately 276m (905ft) in over a minute at approximately 60kmh (37mph).

The accident claimed the lives of several individuals, including five Portuguese citizens, four of whom were charity workers. Among the foreign victims were Kayleigh Smith, 36, William Nelson, 44, and another unnamed British citizen, along with 14 others. The exact number of people aboard each cabin when it crashed has not been confirmed.

The operating company maintains that the funicular's life expectancy had a significant safety margin, with the cable having been used for 337 days at the time of the accident, and a specified useful life of 600 days, leaving another 263 days before needing replacement. However, the maintenance of the equipment is under question, although a scheduled visual inspection was conducted on the morning of the accident, during which the cable break area was not visible without dismantling.

The Gloria funicular operates up a steep hill with two carriages traveling in opposite directions. It covers a distance of 276m (905ft) between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto neighborhood. Despite the unfortunate incident, the carriages traveled no more than six meters before losing balancing force.

The incident has raised concerns about the maintenance and safety of the funicular, but the report suggests it was up to date based on available evidence. The operating company is cooperating with authorities to investigate the cause of the cable's sudden failure.

The Gloria funicular remains a cherished piece of Lisbon's history and a beloved tourist destination. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic incident.