Lisbon Funicular Tragedy: Death Toll Rises, Controversy Over Maintenance
In a tragic incident that has left the city of Lisbon in shock, the Elevador da Gloria funicular derailed, resulting in at least 16 deaths and over 20 injuries. The funicular, a popular tourist attraction in the Portuguese capital, overturned, leading to a deadly crash. Amidst the unfolding tragedy, there are growing controversies over the maintenance of the transport system, with initial investigations pointing towards a broken safety cable as the cause of the derailment.
Background
The Gloria funicular, a historic 19th-century tramway, is a renowned tourist attraction in Lisbon, often used by visitors to traverse the city's steep hills. The accident, which is being termed as an unprecedented tragedy
by the Mayor of Lisbon, has plunged the city into mourning, with the government declaring a national day of mourning on Thursday.
The Incident
The details of the incident remain unclear, with conflicting reports on the number of casualties. While initial reports suggested 3 deaths, the death toll quickly rose, with the latest reports indicating at least 16 fatalities. Among the deceased is the driver of the vehicle, and a transport worker, as reported by ANSA and BBC News. The injured included several foreign nationals, among them an Italian woman and a French woman, and a three-year-old German boy who reportedly escaped with minor injuries.
Investigators believe that one of the cables supporting the structure may have given way, leading to the tragic derailment. This hypothesis is supported by experts who inspected the vehicle, determining the problem to have been in the safety cable connecting the two carriages.
Controversy Over Maintenance
The urban transport company of the Portuguese capital, which manages the tram, has come under fire following the incident. Reports from La Repubblica suggest that the company had skipped controls on the funicular, with the last tender for maintenance being cancelled. There are also claims that workers had previously warned about the risks associated with the cable system.
In response to the tragedy, the Mayor of Lisbon has ordered the immediate suspension of other funiculars in the city for technical inspections, as the city waits for the results of the investigation into the cause of the derailment.
Current Status
While the city mourns the loss of lives, rescue and investigation efforts are ongoing. Authorities are still working to identify the victims, and hospitals are treating those injured, two of whom have succumbed to their injuries in hospital care. As Lisbon grapples with the shock of this catastrophic incident, questions remain over the safety and maintenance of its historic funicular system. As investigations continue, it is hoped that these questions will be answered, bringing some clarity to a city in mourning.