A technical investigation has confirmed that the catastrophic crash of Lisbon’s iconic Gloria funicular was caused by a cable failure. The historic train, operating between Restauradores Square and Bairro Alto, derailed last Wednesday evening, leaving 16 people dead, including several tourists.
According to the report, the cable connecting the two carriages snapped just six metres into the journey. Once the balancing force was lost, Cabin No.1, descending from the top, accelerated uncontrollably. Despite automatic and manual brakes activating, they failed to slow the vehicle, which reached speeds of around 60kmh before smashing into nearby buildings.
Cabin No.2, located at the bottom, jerked violently backward, partially derailed, and became lodged in the cable channel. Meanwhile, Cabin No.1 careened off track, striking a cast-iron streetlamp, a support pole, and the corner of a building before being destroyed. The entire sequence unfolded in less than 50 seconds.
The funicular, a national monument built in 1914, is a beloved tourist attraction in Lisbon. Its short but steep 276-metre route normally takes just over a minute. On the day of the disaster, a scheduled inspection was carried out, but investigators noted that the area where the cable ultimately failed was not visible without dismantling the system.
The failed cable had been in service for 337 days, with a manufacturer’s recommended lifespan of 600 days. The operator considered this to include a substantial safety margin, but the sudden breakage raises questions about hidden vulnerabilities in the system.
The crash claimed the lives of 16 people. Among the victims were Kayleigh Smith, 36, William Nelson, 44, and another British citizen whose name has not yet been released. Five Portuguese nationals also died, including four charity workers based in the Bairro Alto district. The rest of the victims were mainly foreign visitors.
The tragedy has prompted scrutiny over maintenance standards and safety protocols for historic transport systems. While inspections had been up to date, the hidden nature of the damaged cable segment highlights the challenges of ensuring reliability in century-old infrastructure.
The Gloria funicular remains closed as authorities continue their investigation and families of the victims await further answers.
