Lisbon Funicular Crash Kills 16, Prompts Citywide Tram Closures

A preliminary investigation into the Lisbon funicular crash on September 3 revealed that the accident was caused by a faulty steel cable that was not certified for public transport and improperly installed. The cable failure led to the derailment of the century-old Glória line funicular, killing 16 people, including 11 foreigners, and injuring 21 others. Maintenance flaws were also identified, including references to non-existent or outdated standards, and the braking systems were found insufficient to stop the carriages when the cable broke, as the pneumatic brake was disabled and the manual brake was too weak. Following the report, all Lisbon funiculars have been ordered to remain out of service until safety checks confirm that their braking systems can effectively immobilize cabins in the event of cable failure. Authorities expect to issue a more detailed final report next year with comprehensive safety recommendations. The tragedy prompted a national day of mourning and has been described as one of Portugal's greatest recent human tragedies.