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The deadly funicular incident in Lisbon that took 16 victims in the beginning of September was attributed to a defective cable, as stated by the formal inquiry published on Monday.

The investigation has recommended that the city's similar transports be kept halted until their operational integrity can be completely confirmed.

Particulars of the Devastating Event

The crash happened when the historic Glória cable car left the rails and crashed into a structure, shocking the capital and highlighting grave fears about the safety of ageing tourist attractions.

The country's transport safety authority (the bureau) noted that a cable connecting two cars had come loose moments before the tragedy on September 3rd.

Initial Results

The preliminary analysis confirmed that the line was not up to the specified standards set by the local public transport company.

The line was not in compliance with the standards mandated to be employed for the Glória cable car.

The 35-page document also recommended that the remaining funiculars in Lisbon should be kept suspended until inspectors can ensure they have adequate stopping mechanisms capable of immobilising the cars in the event of a cable break.

Fatalities and Harm

Among the sixteen victims, 11 were foreign nationals, comprising three UK nationals, two South Koreans, 2 Canadian nationals, one Frenchwoman, one Swiss national, an American, and one Ukrainian.

This accident also harmed approximately 20 persons, comprising 3 Britons.

The local fatalities featured four workers from the identical social care institution, whose offices are located at the summit of the steep street serviced by the cable car.

Historical Details

This Glória began operation in 1885, using a mechanism of balancing weights to move its 2 wagons along its 870-foot route ascending and descending a precipitous slope.

As per the bureau, a regular check on the day of the accident detected nothing unusual with the cable that later snapped.

This investigators also reported that the operator had activated the funicular's stopping mechanism, but they were powerless to prevent the car without the function of the balancing mechanism.

This entire crash transpired in merely less than a minute, according to the probe.

Upcoming Measures

The bureau is scheduled to publish a conclusive document with operational guidelines within the next year, though an preliminary document may provide further updates on the development of the inquiry.