Investigators say the cable that caused Wednesday’s deadly funicular crash in Lisbon had broken in a spot that could not be seen during routine checks.
The accident killed 16 people and injured at least 20 more, including five who remain in critical condition.
According to Portugal’s air and rail accident investigations bureau (GPIAAF), the connecting cable between two carriages of the Elevador da Glória funicular snapped just six meters into its journey. The loss of balance sent the carriage hurtling downhill.
The operator tried both the pneumatic and manual emergency brakes, but neither slowed the vehicle. Within 50 seconds, the funicular slammed into a building at about 60 km/h (37 mph).
A scheduled inspection had taken place on the very morning of the accident. Investigators said the damaged section of the cable was hidden and could only be checked by dismantling parts of the mechanism. The rest of the system appeared to be working correctly.
The cable itself was just 337 days into its expected 600-day service life. Officials have not yet confirmed how many passengers were on board, but the funicular can carry up to 40 people, and others were on the street when it crashed.
Two separate probes are underway: one by GPIAAF and another by Portuguese prosecutors. The accident bureau says it will publish a preliminary report within 45 days.
Authorities also confirmed that 11 foreign nationals were among the dead, including three Britons, two South Koreans, two Canadians, one Frenchwoman, one Swiss, one American, and one Ukrainian.
Among the victims were British couple Kayleigh Smith, 36, and William Nelson, 44. Their families paid emotional tributes through police on Saturday.
Smith’s relatives described her as witty, kind, and caring, noting her work as a funeral operative and her passion as a theatre director. “They both leave family and friends heartbroken,” the family said.
Nelson’s brother said the loss was “indescribable.” “He was always kind, selfless, and protective, and the world does not feel right without him. He was and has always been my hero. Love you, rest in peace you legend.”
