The cable that broke and caused a deadly accident with the funicular in Lisbon last month did not meet technical requirements, according to a preliminary investigation report cited by DPA and BTA.
The type of cable used since 2022 is neither certified for passenger transport nor suitable for this type of funicular railway, including the "Gloria" line, where the tragedy occurred, the Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation Service (GPIAAF) announced yesterday.
The tragic incident on September 3 killed 16 people and injured 21, some of them seriously.
The funicular has two carriages connected by a rope and ascends and descends steep streets of the Portuguese capital. On the day of the accident, one of the carriages was descending the steep "Calcada da Glória" road when it derailed on a curve and crashed into iron poles and a building.
A final report on the causes of the accident is expected within a year.
The historic "Elevador da Glória" funicular is one of Lisbon's most popular tourist attractions, but locals also use it regularly. Built in Germany in the 19th century, the funicular carries about 3 million passengers each year.
Until last month, there had been no such accidents with any of Lisbon's three funiculars.