A preliminary investigation into the catastrophic derailment of the Ascensor da Glória funicular in Lisbon has found that a faulty haulage cable—which connected two carriages—was a key factor in the deadly crash that killed 16 people and injured over 20. The cable was found to be substandard and non-compliant with the city transport operator’s specifications.
The report by the Portuguese accident investigations bureau (GPIAAF) revealed multiple systemic failures:
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The cable broke at its attachment point, causing one carriage to rapidly descend the hill unchecked.
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The cable was “not strong enough” for the operation and failed to meet the required specifications for the funicular line.
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Inspectors found that the maintenance programme used outdated, inapplicable or non-existent standards in at least five instances.
In light of the findings, investigators have temporarily suspended all of Lisbon’s funicular lines and recommended that they remain shut until inspections confirm that their braking systems are capable of controlling cabins in the event of a cable failure.
A full, final report is expected within the coming year, but the preliminary findings have already raised serious questions about infrastructure oversight, heritage-transport maintenance and tourist safety in the Portuguese capital.
