Failures Unveiled in Lisbon Funicular Crash Report

Wed Oct 22 2025 01:15:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A preliminary probe into a tragic crash that claimed 16 lives in Lisbon reveals critical safety oversights and equipment failures, prompting urgent reforms in public transport safety management.

The recent preliminary report on the Lisbon funicular crash of September 3 has shed light on significant shortcomings in safety protocols and equipment maintenance. The report indicates that a defective cable, never certified for passenger use, caused the crash, highlighting a lack of oversight by the managing company, Carris. With 16 fatalities, including several tourists, the incident has led to a call for urgent safety reforms and the suspension of all Lisbon cable cars. Investigations continue to assess accountability and improve safety protocols.

A preliminary report into last month's funicular crash in Lisbon that killed 16 people has detailed a litany of failings.

Portugal's Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau reported that a defective underground cable, which acted as a counterweight between two carriages, broke and causd the crash. This cable had never been certified for passenger transportation.

The cable was deemed technically unsuitable, having been acquired in 2022 by Carris, the operator of Lisbon's public transport, who has since dismissed its head of maintenance for the funiculars and trams.

The historic Glória funicular, over 140 years old and popular among tourists, derailed and crashed into a building on September 3. Among the deceased, there were 11 foreigners including three British nationals, while another 20 people sustained injuries.

The investigation revealed a lack of proper oversight by Carris engineers and highlighted the fact that the cable was not properly tested prior to installation.

Moreover, the report pointed out that the funicular's maintenance, which was outsourced, failed to conduct a thorough safety check on the day of the incident, raising doubts as to whether the check occurred at all.

Emergency brake systems were reportedly malfunctioning and had never undergone testing, which prevented the driver from mitigating the incident.

Despite the preliminary findings, the report cautioned that the information gathered so far was incomplete, indicating that further tests and analysis are necessary before drawing definitive conclusions about liability.

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, re-elected amid this turmoil, remarked that the tragedy was due to technical breaches, not political failures.

As a reaction to the findings, Carris announced a halt to all Lisbon cable cars until safety measures are solidified, demanding a review of braking systems to ensure they can effectively stop carriages in case of cable failures, which was not achieved during the Glória accident.

The company has also pledged to enhance its safety management systems, seeking compliance with European standards. A complete report is anticipated to take nearly a year, though if delays occur, an interim report will be published sooner.