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The deadly cable car crash in Portugal's capital that claimed 16 victims in the beginning of September was caused by a damaged cable, as stated by the official inquiry released on the start of the week.

The probe has urged that the city's comparable vehicles be kept halted until their safety can be completely verified.

Details of the Deadly Incident

The collision occurred when the old Elevador da Glória went off track and collided into a edifice, shocking the capital and highlighting significant concerns about the security of older visitor sites.

Portugal's accident investigation agency (the bureau) noted that a line joining two compartments had detached shortly before the crash on the third of September.

Early Results

This early report indicated that the cable failed to meet the specified requirements set by the city's transport operator.

This cable did not comply with the specifications currently applicable to be used for the Glória funicular.

The comprehensive analysis also recommended that all cable cars in the capital must remain non-operational until experts can ensure they have effective braking systems designed of immobilising the cars in the scenario of a cable break.

Victims and Harm

Among the 16 fatalities, 11 were international visitors, including three UK citizens, 2 South Koreans, two Canadian nationals, a French national, one Swiss, an American, and one Ukrainian national.

This crash also hurt approximately 20 persons, comprising 3 Britons.

The national casualties comprised four staff members from the equivalent social care institution, whose premises are positioned at the peak of the steep street used by the cable car.

Historical Details

The Elevador da Glória was inaugurated in 1885, using a mechanism of balancing weights to propel its two wagons along its 870-foot track up and down a precipitous slope.

Based on authorities, a standard inspection on the day of the accident found no issues with the cable that subsequently broke.

This experts also stated that the driver had applied the cable car's stopping mechanism, but they were powerless to prevent the carriage without the function of the weight compensation system.

The complete crash unfolded in merely 50 seconds, according to the inquiry.

Future Steps

This bureau is anticipated to publish a definitive document with security recommendations within the following twelve months, though an interim report may provide more details on the status of the investigation.