A recent official preliminary report revealed that a fatal streetcar crash in Lisbon, Portugal, last month, which claimed the lives of 16 individuals, including three Canadians, and injured 21 others, was caused by the failure of a steel cable and maintenance deficiencies. The incident, involving a century-old funicular streetcar that runs on a steep hill alongside another car, was described as one of the worst tragedies in Lisbon’s recent history.
During the accident, the streetcar derailed, careened down the hill, and collided with a building, resulting in significant damage to the wooden cabin. Authorities disclosed that 11 of the victims were foreigners, among them a couple from Quebec and a man from Ottawa. The Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation stated in the report that the underground steel cable connecting the two cars was not adequately robust for its purpose, lacked certification for public transportation, and was not installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. The cable had been in operation for less than a year.
The investigation highlighted instances where the maintenance program referenced outdated or irrelevant standards. Following the cable’s failure, safety mechanisms disengaged power to the streetcar, rendering the pneumatic brake ineffective and the manual brake insufficient to halt the vehicle’s descent down the hill. Authorities are also scrutinizing the need for enhancements to the streetcar’s braking system.
Notably, the preliminary report emphasized that it was not intended to assign liability or apportion blame. A comprehensive final report, anticipated for release next year, will provide a more thorough analysis of the accident.
