The recent tragic streetcar crash in Lisbon, Portugal, which claimed the lives of 16 individuals, including three Canadians, and left 21 others injured, was attributed to a steel cable failure and maintenance deficiencies, as per an official preliminary report released on Monday. This incident marks one of the most devastating accidents in Lisbon’s recent history. The vintage streetcar, known as a funicular, operates on a steep hill alongside another car, serving as a popular tourist attraction in the city.
During the accident, the streetcar lost control while descending the hill, leading to a derailment on a curve and a collision with a building, resulting in severe damage to the wooden cabin. Among the fatalities, 11 were foreign nationals, including a couple from Quebec and a man from Ottawa.
The report by the Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation revealed that the steel haulage cable connecting the two cars and distributing their weight was inadequate for its purpose. Moreover, the cable was not certified for public transportation and was improperly installed, deviating from the manufacturer’s guidelines. Despite being in use for less than a year, the cable failed due to maintenance deficiencies, as the investigation highlighted lapses in adhering to relevant standards.
Following the cable rupture, safety mechanisms disengaged the power supply to the streetcar, rendering the pneumatic brake ineffective and the manual brake insufficient to halt the vehicle’s descent down the hill. Authorities are now examining the necessity of enhancing streetcar braking systems after this tragic event. It is important to note that the initial report is not meant to assign blame or determine liability, with a more comprehensive final report expected to be released next year after a thorough examination of the incident.
