Lisbon Streetcar Derailment: Cable Failure Investigation Reveals Cause
- LISBON, Portugal (AP) - The first investigative report on the deadly derailment of a popular Portugal streetcar said Saturday that a cable connecting the two cabins essentially snapped.
- Officials called it one of Lisbon's worst tragedies in recent memory.
- The report by the office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations released Saturday said the two cabins had traveled not more than about 6 meters (20 feet) when...
Lisbon Streetcar Derailment: Cable Failure Identified as Cause
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LISBON, Portugal (AP) – The first investigative report on the deadly derailment of a popular Portugal streetcar said Saturday that a cable connecting the two cabins essentially snapped.
Wednesday’s crash left 16 dead and injured 21 others. Officials called it one of Lisbon’s worst tragedies in recent memory.
The report by the office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations released Saturday said the two cabins had traveled not more than about 6 meters (20 feet) when they suddenly lost the balancing force provided by the connecting cable, the report said.
The yellow-and-white streetcar is known as Elevador da Glória and goes up and down a steep downtown hill. The cabin at the top sped downward.
“The cabin’s brakeman promptly applied the pneumatic brake and the hand brake to try to halt the movement,” the report said. “These actions had no effect in stopping or reducing the cabin’s speed, and it continued accelerating down the slope.”
Examining the wreckage at the site, it was “immediately clear that the connecting cable had given way” at the attachment point to the cabin that was at the top of the hill, the report said.
Understanding the elevador da Glória
The streetcar, technically called a funicular, is harnessed by steel cables, with the descending car helping with its weight to pull up the other one. it can carry more than 40 people, seated and standing.funiculars are a common sight in hilly cities, offering a unique and frequently enough historic mode of transportation. They rely on a delicate balance of gravity and cable strength to operate safely.
The exact number of passengers in each vehicle at the time has not yet been determined, the report said.
What Happened: A timeline of Events
- August 9, 2023: The Elevador da Glória derails, resulting in 16 fatalities and 21 injuries.
- August 12, 2023: The Office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations releases its initial report, identifying a snapped cable as the primary cause.
- ongoing: Further investigation is underway to determine the cause of the cable failure and assess the safety of other funiculars in Lisbon.
The Mechanics of a Funicular System
Funiculars operate on a principle of counterweight balance.Here’s a breakdown:
| component | Function |
|---|---|
| Cables | Connect the two cabins and transmit the pulling force. |
| Engines/Motors | Provide the initial power to start the movement and maintain speed. |
| Braking System | Controls the speed and stops the cabins. Includes pneumatic and hand brakes. |
| Counterweight | The descending cabin’s weight assists in pulling up the ascending cabin. |
who is Affected?
The immediate impact is felt by the families and friends of the victims. The accident has also shaken