Lisbon Funicular Tragedy: Cable Snapped Before Deadly Crash, Initial Report Confirms

A critical cable linking two cabins of Lisbon’s Gloria funicular snapped shortly before the deadly crash this past Wednesday, an initial investigative report released on Saturday has confirmed. The incident, which occurred near Avenida da Liberdade, resulted in 16 fatalities and 21 injuries, marking one of the city’s worst recent tragedies.

According to findings from Portugal’s air and rail accident investigations bureau (GPIAAF), the cable had passed a visual inspection just hours before the derailment. The report stated, “According to the evidence observed so far, the scheduled maintenance plan was up to date, and a scheduled visual inspection had been conducted on the morning of the accident, which detected no anomalies in the vehicles’ cable or braking systems.”

Inspectors determined that the historic funicular, in operation since 1914, traveled only about 6 meters before losing the crucial balancing force provided by the connecting cable. The accident unfolded rapidly, within approximately 50 seconds, with evidence immediately pointing to the cable giving way at its attachment point to the cabin at the top of the hill.

Two independent investigations are now underway: one by the GPIAAF and another by the prosecutors’ office, with distinct purposes. A preliminary report from the GPIAAF is expected within 45 days, followed by a comprehensive final report detailing the causes and safety recommendations.

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