Overview
- Portugal’s GPIAAF found the connecting cable detached at its fastening on the upper car just after departure, triggering the runaway descent.
- The vehicle operator immediately applied pneumatic and hand brakes, yet the system lacked the capacity to stop a cabin once the counterweight cable failed.
- The car traveled uncontrolled for about 170 meters in under 50 seconds, derailed in a curve, and struck structures at roughly 60 km/h, leaving 16 dead and more than 20 injured.
- The 32 mm steel rope had been in service 337 of a nominal 600 days, and the critical attachment point was not inspectable without disassembly during the morning check.
- All historic Lisbon funiculars remain out of service as prosecutors conduct a separate investigation and GPIAAF prepares an interim report in about 45 days and a final report in roughly one year.