The Lisbon funicular accident happened when one cable had burst apart, said Portuguese investigators, as the authorities continue to investigate the tragic accident that had killed 16 people including three British tourists and one Ukrainian and left the city mourning.

Lisbon funicular crash: report confirms snapped cable cause
Credit:AFP via Getty Images

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Inquiry into the Lisbon funicular disaster

The Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Railway Accidents preliminary report stated the funicular cars “suddenly lost the balancing force” provided by a connecting cable shortly after they had begun.

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Authorities described how the brakeman immediately released both pneumatic and hand breaks. The actions were not effective, and the carriage continued to move at high speed uncontrollably, attaining 60 km/h (approximately 30 mph) and then crashed with horrific effects.

Lisbon funicular crash victims identified

The officials confirmed that 16 people had lost their lives in the accident. The victims were three British tourists who had been identified as 36-year-old Kayleigh Smith and 44-year-old William Nelson and a third unidentified Brit. Other than them, one Ukrainian who had been born in 1971 had lost his life in the accident.

Meanwhile, Portuguese officials continue to collaborate with foreign officials to assist the family members of the victims and exchange information regarding the progress of the investigation. The study findings will also influence future protection measures for historic transport by train.

Similar tragedies have occurred in funicular history. A mountain funicular fire claimed 155 lives at Kaprun, Austria (2000), the deadliest such disaster in world history. A cable car disaster took 20 lives and injured numerous people at Tbilisi, USSR (1990). So the Lisbon disaster, with 16 deaths, ranks among the deadliest funicular tragedies in recorded history.

What caused the Lisbon funicular crash?

The report showed that the funicular accident in Lisbon had taken place after a cable had snapped deactivating the braking systems and leading to the fatal crash.

The Lisbon funicular accident killed how many people?

Official sources verified 16 fatalities including three British tourists and one Ukrainian who was born in 1971. Most victims had already been identified and identification continues to confirm other details.

What are the measures taken after the crash?

Portuguese officials investigate the funicular systems’ safety standards. International assistance is also underway to help the victims’ families and set stricter future regulations for historic railway systems.

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