A Stunning Collapse in Lisbon's Iconic Funicular

In a heart-wrenching incident on September 3, a popular funicular railway in Lisbon, beloved by tourists, turned deadly when a cable failure sent the carriage careening down a steep hill. This catastrophic event resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 16 people and left 22 others injured after it collided with a building.

A Quebec City Couple Among the Victims

Among those who lost their lives were a couple from Quebec City, further highlighting the international impact of this disaster. The charming yellow tram-like carriage was traveling just six meters down the incline when it suddenly lost the critical balancing force supplied by the cable.

Investigations Reveal Alarming Details

On Saturday, Portugal's Office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations released a preliminary report shedding light on the harrowing moments leading up to the crash. According to the findings, the mechanism failed just moments after departure, leading Cabin No. 2 to unexpectedly reverse its course.

Braking System Fails to Stop Tragedy

Despite the efforts of the cabin’s brakeman, who activated both the pneumatic and hand brakes, their efforts were futile. The report indicates that these measures could not halt or diminish the accelerating speed of the carriage, which continued its uncontrolled descent.

A Closer Look at Cable Failure

Inspection of the wreckage has revealed that the connecting cable gave way at the attachment point of the cabin situated at the top of the incline. This startling failure is now under thorough investigation, and although a final report is pending, the early findings raise serious questions about safety protocols on Lisbon's funicular.

What Happens Next?

As authorities work to finalize their investigation, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of this unforeseen tragedy. The looming question of accountability and the measures needed to prevent such accidents in the future now take center stage.