A recent official preliminary report has revealed that the crash of a streetcar in Lisbon, Portugal, which claimed the lives of 16 individuals, including three Canadians, and left 21 others injured, was caused by a combination of a failure in a steel cable and maintenance deficiencies. The incident, involving a century-old streetcar known as a funicular due to its operation on a steep hill alongside another car, stands as one of the most tragic events in Lisbon’s recent history.
The fatal derailment occurred when the streetcar lost control while descending the hill, veered off the tracks on a bend, and collided with a building, resulting in extensive damage to the wooden cabin. Among the fatalities, 11 were foreigners, including a couple from Quebec and a man from Ottawa.
The preliminary findings from the Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation point out that the underground steel haulage cable, responsible for connecting and balancing the weight of the two cars, was inadequate for its intended purpose. The cable, which had been in service for less than a year, was not certified for public transportation and had not been installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The investigation highlighted several instances where the maintenance program failed to adhere to relevant standards, leading to concerns about the overall safety of the streetcar system. Following the cable failure, safety mechanisms disengaged, rendering the pneumatic brake ineffective, and the manual brake insufficient to halt the streetcar’s descent down the hill. Authorities are now considering the need for enhancements to the streetcar’s braking system.
It is important to note that the preliminary report does not assign blame or determine liability, as it serves as an initial overview of the incident. A comprehensive final report, expected to be more detailed and thorough, will be released next year after further examination and analysis of the accident.