An Ottawa resident and a survivor of a fatal funicular accident in Lisbon last month expressed astonishment at the revelations of a recent report regarding the event and is demanding increased responsibility from Portuguese authorities.
Hind Iguernane, along with her husband Aziz Benharref, was one of 27 passengers on the tram that derailed on September 3 due to a snapped cable, leading to a rapid descent and a crash into a building, resulting in Benharref’s death.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Iguernane, now recuperating in Morocco with her parents, vividly recalls the event, particularly the acrid smoke reminiscent of gunpowder that filled the air.
The report from Portugal’s Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail highlighted several issues with the railway known as Ascensor da Gloria or the Gloria Lift. It revealed that a cable not certified for transporting people was utilized by Carris, one of Lisbon’s public transport companies. The report, however, did not conclusively link the cable to the accident.
Furthermore, the investigation found the braking system of the car to be ineffective, despite both manual and automatic brakes being engaged before the crash. Notably, there was no record of Carris testing the emergency brake under cable failure conditions. Technicians and staff associated with the funicular suggested that the safety of the system was overly reliant on the cable.
Expressing dismay at the report’s findings, Iguernane described the incident as a result of severe negligence rather than a mere accident.
The report clarified that it does not assign liability or blame, with a final report expected in the coming year. Subsequently, the board of directors of Carris resigned collectively, although Iguernane believes this action falls short of the accountability needed.
Following the crash, Iguernane sustained a fractured hip and shoulder, rendering her immobile and under strict bed rest for three months. Regarding her return to Ottawa, she awaits medical clearance.
Youness Iguernane, Hind’s brother residing in Orléans, emphasized the family’s pursuit of accountability and transparency from Portuguese officials. He expressed the family’s longing for communication from the government and a coroner’s report.
Hind Iguernane vowed to challenge Benharref’s death as an accident, intending to take legal action, while questioning the preventability of the tragedy in modern times and the promotion of the funicular as a city and national symbol.