A recent official preliminary report revealed that a streetcar crash in Lisbon, Portugal, which claimed the lives of 16 individuals, was attributed to the failure of a steel cable and maintenance deficiencies. Among the casualties were three Canadians. The incident, considered one of Lisbon’s most tragic events in recent times, involved a century-old funicular streetcar that operates on a steep hill alongside another car, serving as a popular tourist attraction in the city.
The streetcar derailed while descending the hill, veering off the tracks on a curve and colliding with a building, resulting in severe damage to the wooden cabin. According to authorities, 11 of the deceased were foreign nationals, including a couple from Quebec and a man from Ottawa.
The preliminary findings by the Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation highlighted that the underground steel haulage cable connecting the two cars was inadequately robust for its intended purpose. Additionally, the cable lacked certification for public transportation and was not installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. The investigation revealed deficiencies in the maintenance program, with references to obsolete or irrelevant standards on multiple occasions.
Following the cable’s failure, safety mechanisms disengaged power 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 considering potential enhancements to the streetcar braking system.
It is important to note that the preliminary report does not assign fault or determine liability. A comprehensive final report, based on a more thorough analysis of the incident, is anticipated to be released next year.