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The fatal cable car crash in Portugal's capital that claimed sixteen victims in the beginning of September was triggered by a faulty cable, as stated by the official inquiry released on Monday.

The probe has urged that Portugal's capital's equivalent vehicles remain halted until their safety can be thoroughly confirmed.

Details of the Devastating Accident

The crash took place when the historic Glória funicular left the rails and crashed into a structure, stunning the metropolis and sparking serious worries about the safety of older tourist attractions.

The country's transport safety authority (GPIAAF) stated that a line joining two compartments had come loose moments before the tragedy on the third of September.

Early Findings

This initial analysis indicated that the cable failed to meet the required specifications outlined by the city's public transport company.

The cable failed to comply with the specifications in force to be used for the Glória funicular.

The detailed report additionally recommended that the remaining cable cars in the capital should stay out of service until inspectors can confirm they have sufficient brakes capable of immobilising the vehicles in the event of a line snap.

Casualties and Harm

Of the 16 fatalities, 11 were foreign nationals, comprising three British individuals, 2 citizens of South Korea, 2 Canadians, one French national, a Swiss national, one citizen of the United States, and one Ukrainian national.

This accident also injured approximately 20 people, including three UK nationals.

Among the national fatalities included 4 workers from the same social care institution, whose premises are positioned at the summit of the sharp street used by the inclined railway.

Historical Details

The Glória first opened in 1885, using a method of weight compensation to propel its 2 wagons along its long route climbing and descending a steep incline.

Based on authorities, a regular examination on the day of the accident detected nothing unusual with the cable that eventually failed.

The experts also stated that the driver had applied the vehicle's braking system, but they were incapable to stop the car without the function of the weight compensation system.

The entire event occurred in only 50 seconds, as stated by the probe.

Next Steps

The investigative body is expected to publish a conclusive report with operational guidelines within the following twelve months, though an interim report may provide more details on the status of the investigation.