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The tragic inclined railway accident in Lisbon that cost 16 lives in early September was triggered by a damaged wire, according to the authoritative probe released on the start of the week.

The probe has recommended that Portugal's capital's equivalent transports remain out of service until their operational integrity can be completely verified.

Details of the Devastating Accident

This collision occurred when the historic Elevador da Glória went off track and crashed into a structure, shocking the city and raising significant worries about the security of ageing landmarks.

The country's transport safety authority (the bureau) stated that a cable connecting two cars had come loose shortly before the tragedy on 3 September.

Initial Results

This initial report confirmed that the cable did not meet the required standards outlined by the local transport operator.

This line failed to comply with the requirements mandated to be utilized for the Glória cable car.

This comprehensive document additionally recommended that all cable cars in the city should stay non-operational until authorities can confirm they have sufficient braking systems able of immobilising the cars in the event of a wire failure.

Casualties and Harm

Of the sixteen victims, 11 were foreign nationals, featuring three UK citizens, two citizens of South Korea, two Canadian nationals, one French national, one Swiss, one US national, and a Ukrainian.

This crash also injured around twenty individuals, comprising 3 Britons.

The Portuguese victims featured 4 staff members from the same care facility, whose premises are situated at the top of the sheer street used by the cable car.

Operational Information

The Glória funicular first opened in the late 19th century, utilizing a mechanism of balancing weights to drive its 2 compartments along its long path ascending and descending a steep incline.

According to the bureau, a regular inspection on the date of the accident detected no issues with the line that eventually broke.

This investigators also noted that the operator had engaged the cable car's braking system, but they were unable to stop the car without the support of the counterweight system.

The complete event transpired in merely 50 seconds, according to the investigation.

Future Measures

This bureau is expected to release a final document with security recommendations within the following twelve months, though an interim document may provide more details on the development of the inquiry.