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The fatal cable car incident in Portugal's capital that claimed sixteen victims in early September was caused by a defective cable, according to the formal inquiry issued on the start of the week.

This investigation has advised that the city's equivalent vehicles remain out of service until their safety can be fully assured.

Specifics of the Deadly Accident

This collision took place when the 19th-century Glória cable car went off track and collided into a edifice, horrifying the metropolis and highlighting serious concerns about the safety of ageing visitor sites.

The nation's transport safety authority (GPIAAF) noted that a wire linking two compartments had detached moments before the incident on 3 September.

Preliminary Findings

This initial analysis confirmed that the wire was not up to the specified standards outlined by the urban transit authority.

The wire did not comply with the standards currently applicable to be used for the Glória funicular.

The comprehensive report additionally recommended that all inclined railways in the capital must stay non-operational until authorities can verify they have sufficient brakes capable of halting the cars in the scenario of a line snap.

Casualties and Casualties

Among the sixteen victims, eleven were non-Portuguese citizens, comprising three UK nationals, 2 Korean nationals, 2 Canadians, a citizen of France, one Swiss national, one US national, and one citizen of Ukraine.

This crash also harmed approximately twenty people, comprising three British citizens.

The national casualties comprised four employees from the same care facility, whose workplace are positioned at the top of the steep side road used by the funicular.

Operational Information

The Elevador da Glória began operation in the late 19th century, using a method of balancing weights to move its two compartments along its 870-foot track ascending and descending a sharp slope.

As per investigators, a routine check on the date of the incident detected no issues with the wire that later broke.

The experts also noted that the driver had activated the vehicle's stopping mechanism, but they were unable to prevent the car without the support of the counterweight system.

The whole crash transpired in merely 50 seconds, as stated by the inquiry.

Upcoming Actions

This investigative body is scheduled to publish a final report with operational recommendations within the next year, though an preliminary update may offer more updates on the status of the investigation.