Preliminary Report on Lisbon Funicular Crash Expected Soon
Portugal’s accident investigators are preparing to release an initial report on the funicular railway accident that left 16 dead and 21 injured on Wednesday evening.
The incident, which Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called “one of the largest tragedies in recent memory,” occurred around 6 p.m. when one of the two streetcars on the Elevador da Glória line derailed, sliding downhill before colliding with a building in central Lisbon.
The damaged streetcar was removed from the site late Thursday and taken by authorities for examination as a national day of mourning concluded.
The government’s air and rail accident investigation team confirmed it had finished its preliminary analysis of the wreckage and would issue a technical report Friday. Police investigator Nelson Oliveira stated that a broader initial report would follow within 45 days.
No signs of sabotage have been identified, leaving mechanical failure or maintenance concerns as possible factors in the crash.
The Glória line transports roughly 3 million passengers—both visitors and locals—each year. Its two streetcars, each holding about 40 passengers, operate on a haulage cable system powered by electric motors.
On Thursday, Fectrans union leader Manuel Leal told a local broadcaster that workers had previously raised concerns about cable tension affecting braking performance, though he emphasized it was premature to link this to the accident.
Carris, the public transport operator overseeing the service, stated that all scheduled maintenance procedures, including weekly and monthly checks, along with daily inspections, had been followed.
Pedro de Brito Bogas, president of Carris, noted the streetcar involved had been in operation since 1914 and underwent a full maintenance program last year. He added that daily 30-minute visual inspections were conducted.
During a press briefing, Bogas confirmed the last inspection took place nine hours before the crash but did not elaborate on its findings or confirm whether all cables had been tested when asked.
A memorial service was held Thursday evening at Lisbon’s Saint Dominic Church, attended by the prime minister, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Mayor Carlos Moedas, and hundreds of others.
Authorities confirmed the fatalities included five Portuguese nationals, two Koreans, a Swiss citizen, and a French citizen.
National police chief Luís Neves said there was a “strong likelihood” the remaining victims included two Canadians, a Ukrainian, an American, and a German.
According to Álvaro Santos Almeida, head of Portugal’s national health service, the injured include citizens of Spain, Israel, Portugal, Brazil, Italy, and France. Five individuals remain in serious condition.
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