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Tragic Lisbon Funicular Crash Linked to Snapped Cable, Initial Report Reveals

An initial investigation uncovers that a snapped cable caused the tragic crash of Lisbon's iconic funicular, resulting in 16 fatalities and multiple injuries.

Source: bbc.co.uk1 min read
Tragic Lisbon Funicular Crash Linked to Snapped Cable, Initial Report Reveals
Image via bbc.co.uk

In brief

On Wednesday, a severe accident involving Lisbon's historic Glória funicular resulted in 16 deaths and around 20 injuries. Preliminary findings indicate that a snapped cable was responsible for the crash, while the funicular's other mechanisms were functioning correctly.

Portuguese officials investigating Wednesday's deadly funicular crash in Lisbon say a cable along the railway's route snapped, but the rest of the mechanism was functioning properly.

After examining the wreckage at the site, it was immediately determined that the cable connecting the two carriages had given way, the preliminary report said.

The carriages of Lisbon's iconic, 140-year-old Glória funicular railway are designed to travel up and down steep slopes.

Sixteen people died and about 20 were injured when one of the carriages derailed on Wednesday evening.

Five of those killed were Portuguese along with three Britons, two South Koreans, two Canadians, an American, a Ukrainian, a Swiss and a French national, police said.

Portugal's Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, described the incident as one of the biggest tragedies of our recent past.

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