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This tragic cable car incident in Portugal's capital that claimed 16 lives in the start of the ninth month was attributed to a faulty cable, per the authoritative probe issued on Monday.

The inquiry has recommended that the city's similar cable cars stay non-operational until their security can be thoroughly verified.

Specifics of the Tragic Event

The accident occurred when the 19th-century Elevador da Glória derailed and smashed into a building, shocking the metropolis and highlighting significant fears about the safety of historic landmarks.

The country's air and rail accident investigations bureau (the bureau) reported that a cable joining two cars had disconnected shortly before the tragedy on September 3rd.

Initial Results

This preliminary document indicated that the line was not up to the specified specifications set by the local public transport company.

The wire did not comply with the requirements currently applicable to be employed for the Glória tram.

The detailed report further recommended that all cable cars in Lisbon should be kept non-operational until experts can verify they have sufficient brakes able of stopping the cabins in the event of a cable break.

Victims and Casualties

Among the 16 fatalities, eleven were international visitors, comprising 3 British individuals, two citizens of South Korea, 2 Canadians, a citizen of France, a Swiss, one citizen of the United States, and a citizen of Ukraine.

This crash also injured about twenty individuals, including 3 UK nationals.

The Portuguese fatalities comprised 4 workers from the same care facility, whose offices are situated at the peak of the steep street accessed by the cable car.

Operational Information

This Elevador da Glória was inaugurated in the late 19th century, utilizing a method of counterweights to drive its two cars along its 870-foot route ascending and descending a precipitous slope.

According to the bureau, a standard inspection on the day of the incident identified no anomalies with the wire that later broke.

The experts also reported that the driver had applied the funicular's brakes, but they were incapable to halt the carriage without the support of the balancing mechanism.

The whole crash transpired in only under a minute, per the inquiry.

Next Steps

This investigative body is scheduled to issue a definitive report with safety guidelines within the coming year, though an interim update may deliver more details on the status of the investigation.