The cable linking the two cabin cars had given way shortly before the deadly funicular crash in the Portuguese capital Lisbon that killed at least 16 people and injured 22 others, revealed the first investigative report released on Saturday. The report by Portugal’s Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau (GPIAAF) said that the cable had cleared a visual check a few hours before the derailment. “According to the evidence observed so far, the scheduled maintenance plan was up to date, and a scheduled visual inspection had been conducted on the morning of the accident, which detected no anomalies in the vehicles’ cable or braking systems,” says the report.The Gloria funicular—a yellow railway car that travels up and down a steep slope in central Lisbon—veered off its tracks near Avenida da Liberdade and crashed into a building, leaving 16 people dead and 21 injured last Wednesday.&nbsp;<h2>Other findings of the probe</h2>&nbsp;Inspectors said the two cabins had travelled not more than about 6 metres (20 feet) when they suddenly lost the balancing force provided by the connecting cable. As per the initial findings, the accident happened in under 50 seconds.After inspection of the wreckage at the scene, it was “immediately clear that the connecting cable had given way” at the point where it was attached to the cabin at the top of the hill, the report said. The yellow-and-white streetcar that crashed had been in use since 1914.&nbsp;“Cabin No. 2 suddenly reversed, its movement halting approximately 10 metres beyond due to its partial excursion past the end of the track and the burial of the underside of the trambolho (trolley) at the end of the cable trench,” it added.“Cabin No. 1, at the top of Calcada da Gloria, continued its downward movement, increasing its speed. The cabin's brakeman immediately applied the pneumatic brake and the hand brake to try to halt the movement. These actions had no effect in stopping or reducing the cabin’s speed, and it continued accelerating down the slope,” the report added.&nbsp;WATCH: Japanese PM resigns: Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba steps down a day before crucial intra-party vote<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japanese-pm-resigns-japan-pm-shigeru-ishiba-steps-down-a-day-before-crucial-intra-party-vote-1757253040745/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/japanese-pm-resigns-japan-pm-shigeru-ishiba-steps-down-a-day-before-crucial-intra-party-vote-1757253040745/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>Two separate investigations underway</h2>&nbsp;Two separate investigations are being conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident: one is being carried out by the GPIAAF and another by the prosecutors’ office.The GPIAAF underlined in its report that the two investigations are “completely independent and have distinct purposes.”It added that a preliminary report will be published within 45 days.&nbsp;A final report mentioning “the established facts, its analysis, conclusions regarding the causes of the accident, and, if applicable, safety recommendations” is likely to be published later.The GPIAFF also said that if a final report isn’t possible within one year, an interim report will be published instead.

As per the initial findings, the accident happened in under 50 seconds, and the inspectors said the two cabins had travelled not more than about 6 metres (20 feet) when they suddenly lost the balancing force provided by the connecting cable.

The cable linking the two cabin cars had given way shortly before the deadly funicular crash in the Portuguese capital Lisbon that killed at least 16 people and injured 22 others, revealed the first investigative report released on Saturday. The report by Portugal’s Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau (GPIAAF) said that the cable had cleared a visual check a few hours before the derailment. “According to the evidence observed so far, the scheduled maintenance plan was up to date, and a scheduled visual inspection had been conducted on the morning of the accident, which detected no anomalies in the vehicles’ cable or braking systems,” says the report. The Gloria funicular—a yellow railway car that travels up and down a steep slope in central Lisbon—veered off its tracks near Avenida da Liberdade and crashed into a building, leaving 16 people dead and 21 injured last Wednesday. Other findings of the probe Inspectors said the two cabins had travelled not more than about 6 metres (20 feet) when they suddenly lost the balancing force provided by the connecting cable. As per the initial findings, the accident happened in under 50 seconds. After inspection of the wreckage at the scene, it was “immediately clear that the connecting cable had given way” at the point where it was attached to the cabin at the top of the hill, the report said. The yellow-and-white streetcar that crashed had been in use since 1914. “Cabin No. 2 suddenly reversed, its movement halting approximately 10 metres beyond due to its partial excursion past the end of the track and the burial of the underside of the trambolho (trolley) at the end of the cable trench,” it added. “Cabin No. 1, at the top of Calcada da Gloria, continued its downward movement, increasing its speed. The cabin's brakeman immediately applied the pneumatic brake and the hand brake to try to halt the movement. These actions had no effect in stopping or reducing the cabin’s speed, and it continued accelerating down the slope,” the report added. WATCH: Japanese PM resigns: Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba steps down a day before crucial intra-party vote https://www.wionews.com/videos/japanese-pm-resigns-japan-pm-shigeru-ishiba-steps-down-a-day-before-crucial-intra-party-vote-1757253040745/embed Two separate investigations underway Two separate investigations are being conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident: one is being carried out by the GPIAAF and another by the prosecutors’ office. The GPIAAF underlined in its report that the two investigations are “completely independent and have distinct purposes.” It added that a preliminary report will be published within 45 days. A final report mentioning “the established facts, its analysis, conclusions regarding the causes of the accident, and, if applicable, safety recommendations” is likely to be published later. The GPIAFF also said that if a final report isn’t possible within one year, an interim report will be published instead.

As per the initial findings, the accident happened in under 50 seconds, and the inspectors said the two cabins had travelled not more than about 6 metres (20 feet) when they suddenly lost the balancing force provided by the connecting cable.

Funicular cable snapped seconds before Lisbon crash that killed 16: Report

Portugal declared a day of national mourning on Thursday after a funicular train derailed in Lisbon, killing at least 17 people in one of the capital's most popular tourist spots.The accident on Wednesday saw the yellow Gloria funicular veer off a steep stretch of tracks near Liberty Avenue and crash into a building.Rescuers said a further 16 people were injured. The victims, including some foreigners, have all been recovered from the wreckage, according to the emergency services.The Portuguese government said the country would observe a day of mourning on Thursday to commemorate the victims, whose identities were not immediately available.Footage showed police and rescue personnel working into the night around the mangled funicular lying on its side against a wall of the street.A woman interviewed by the SIC television channel said the train, which can hold about 40 people, struck the building "with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box".Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas called the incident "a tragedy that our city has never seen".A statement by the office of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said it had "brought grief to ... families and dismay to the country", and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen offered condolences to the victims' families.Lisbon prosecutors said they were opening an investigation into the accident's circumstances.The city's public transport operator said it had complied with "all maintenance protocols"."Everything was scrupulously respected," Pedro Bogas, the head of Lisbon Carris, said at the site of the accident, adding that maintenance of the funiculars has been done by a contractor for the past 14 years.General maintenance is carried out every four years and was last conducted in 2022, Carris said. Intermediate maintenance takes place every two years and was completed in 2024.Antonio Javier, a 44-year-old Spanish tourist, told AFP his family were "a little relieved" to have skipped taking the funicular because the queue was too long.Tourists and residents alike use Lisbon's funiculars to travel up and down the capital's steep hills and the boxy yellow train is a common image on gift shop souvenirs.The Gloria first entered into service in 1885 and was hooked up to electricity in 1915, according to the website of Portugal's national monuments.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Tourists and residents alike use Lisbons funiculars to travel up and down the capitals steep hills and the boxy yellow train is a common image on gift shop souvenirs.

Portugal declared a day of national mourning on Thursday after a funicular train derailed in Lisbon, killing at least 17 people in one of the capital's most popular tourist spots. The accident on Wednesday saw the yellow Gloria funicular veer off a steep stretch of tracks near Liberty Avenue and crash into a building. Rescuers said a further 16 people were injured. The victims, including some foreigners, have all been recovered from the wreckage, according to the emergency services. The Portuguese government said the country would observe a day of mourning on Thursday to commemorate the victims, whose identities were not immediately available. Footage showed police and rescue personnel working into the night around the mangled funicular lying on its side against a wall of the street. A woman interviewed by the SIC television channel said the train, which can hold about 40 people, struck the building "with brutal force and collapsed like a cardboard box". Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas called the incident "a tragedy that our city has never seen". A statement by the office of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said it had "brought grief to ... families and dismay to the country", and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen offered condolences to the victims' families. Lisbon prosecutors said they were opening an investigation into the accident's circumstances. The city's public transport operator said it had complied with "all maintenance protocols". "Everything was scrupulously respected," Pedro Bogas, the head of Lisbon Carris, said at the site of the accident, adding that maintenance of the funiculars has been done by a contractor for the past 14 years. General maintenance is carried out every four years and was last conducted in 2022, Carris said. Intermediate maintenance takes place every two years and was completed in 2024. Antonio Javier, a 44-year-old Spanish tourist, told AFP his family were "a little relieved" to have skipped taking the funicular because the queue was too long. Tourists and residents alike use Lisbon's funiculars to travel up and down the capital's steep hills and the boxy yellow train is a common image on gift shop souvenirs. The Gloria first entered into service in 1885 and was hooked up to electricity in 1915, according to the website of Portugal's national monuments. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Tourists and residents alike use Lisbon's funiculars to travel up and down the capital's steep hills and the boxy yellow train is a common image on gift shop souvenirs.

Portugal holds day of mourning for 17 people killed in Lisbon funicular crash

At least three people were killed and around 20 others injured when Lisbon’s historic Gloria funicular derailed and crashed, authorities confirmed. Among the injured, three are reported to be in critical condition. Video from the scene showed the wreckage of the tram-like carriage, which shuttles passengers up a steep hillside in the Portuguese capital, as rescue teams worked to pull people out.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-longer-you-live-younger-you-become-putin-xi-jinping-caught-on-hot-mic-discussing-immortality-150-year-lifespan-1756913366325">'Longer you live, younger you become': Putin, Xi Jinping caught on hot mic discussing immortality, 150-year lifespan</a>&nbsp;In a statement, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences over the tragedy and said he hoped investigators would quickly determine what led to the crash. The Gloria line, first opened in 1885, links Restauradores Square in central Lisbon with the Bairro Alto district, a popular nightlife hub. Operated by the city’s transport company Carris, the funicular runs on a cable system powered by electric motors, with two cars moving in opposite directions.According to CNN Portugal, the lower car of the pair appeared to escape damage, though passengers reportedly had to climb out through its windows during the chaos.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Lisbon's mayor Carlos Moedas said that the city was in mourning. “It’s a very difficult day for all of us,” he was quoted as saying to the media.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-it-will-end-trump-issues-big-warning-to-hamas-amid-netanyahu-s-gaza-plan-asks-all-hostages-to-be-released-1756927053676">'IT WILL END': Trump issues BIG warning to Hamas amid Netanyahu's Gaza plan, asks ALL hostages to be released</a>&nbsp;One of the eye witness, Teresa d'Avó was quoted saying to Portuguese outlet Observador, "The people inside were obviously scared, and we rushed to help. "Soon after, we saw the elevator upstairs was out of control, without brakes, and we all started running away because we thought it was going to hit the one below. "But it fell around the bend and crashed into the building."

Lisbon funicular crash: Multiple dead, several injured in cable car collapse

At least three people were killed and around 20 others injured when Lisbon’s historic Gloria funicular derailed and crashed, authorities confirmed. Among the injured, three are reported to be in critical condition. Video from the scene showed the wreckage of the tram-like carriage, which shuttles passengers up a steep hillside in the Portuguese capital, as rescue teams worked to pull people out. Also Read: 'Longer you live, younger you become': Putin, Xi Jinping caught on hot mic discussing immortality, 150-year lifespan In a statement, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences over the tragedy and said he hoped investigators would quickly determine what led to the crash. The Gloria line, first opened in 1885, links Restauradores Square in central Lisbon with the Bairro Alto district, a popular nightlife hub. Operated by the city’s transport company Carris, the funicular runs on a cable system powered by electric motors, with two cars moving in opposite directions. According to CNN Portugal, the lower car of the pair appeared to escape damage, though passengers reportedly had to climb out through its windows during the chaos. Meanwhile, Lisbon's mayor Carlos Moedas said that the city was in mourning. “It’s a very difficult day for all of us,” he was quoted as saying to the media. Also Read: 'IT WILL END': Trump issues BIG warning to Hamas amid Netanyahu's Gaza plan, asks ALL hostages to be released One of the eye witness, Teresa d'Avó was quoted saying to Portuguese outlet Observador, "The people inside were obviously scared, and we rushed to help. "Soon after, we saw the elevator upstairs was out of control, without brakes, and we all started running away because we thought it was going to hit the one below. "But it fell around the bend and crashed into the building."

According to media reports, several people are feared still trapped. Several people have been injured in the cable car collapse