In the heart of Lisbon, a somber investigation is underway, meticulously piecing together the circumstances surrounding a devastating funicular accident. The incident claimed the lives of sixteen individuals and left dozens more injured, casting a shadow over the vibrant Portuguese capital.
Witnesses recount a harrowing scene: a packed carriage careening down a steep incline "at full speed," seemingly "out of control," before ultimately crashing. The sheer force of the impact left a trail of destruction and sorrow in its wake.
The funicular, a historic mode of transport in Lisbon, operates on a counterbalance system. Two carriages are connected to opposite ends of a haulage cable, driven by electric motors. As one ascends, the other descends, creating a balanced and efficient system for navigating the city's steep hills.
On that fateful day, the descent of one of the trams took a tragic turn. The journey, normally a brief two-minute and twelve-second ride, became a nightmare. It's believed that a cable supporting the lower streetcar snapped, an event marked by a distinct "metallic thud" that echoed along the line.
One witness recounted the initial moments of the disaster: "I noticed that the tram below didn't stop exactly where it was supposed to. There was a metallic thud, a loud noise, and the tram jumped off the track and moved about two feet onto the sidewalk. That was the first strange thing that happened."
The failure of one tram had a catastrophic domino effect on the other. The interconnected nature of the funicular system meant that the initial error quickly spiraled out of control, setting the stage for the tragic descent.
Professor Dave Cooper, a leading expert in cableway safety, explained the mechanics of the disaster: "It's quite clear that the relationship between the two cars has been lost. And so, the car at the top seems to have broken free and come out of what we call the suspension. Its then literally rolled down the hill like a car with no brakes."
The uncontrolled descent transformed the tram into a runaway vehicle, gaining momentum as it hurtled down the historic route. The weight of the car, combined with the number of passengers on board, amplified the deadly speed, making a collision inevitable.
Adding to the complexity of the situation was a slight curve in the road, a point where the funicular had to navigate a change in direction. At this critical juncture, the plunging streetcar collided with the curb, smashing into buildings lining the street.
Witnesses described the horrifying impact, with the car crumpling "like a cardboard box" as it slammed into the wall of a hotel. The abrupt stop, occurring around 6:05 pm local time, marked the culmination of a tragic chain of events.
André Marques, the brake guard in charge of the funicular, was identified as one of the victims of the crash, a grim reminder of the human cost of the disaster.
Professor Cooper emphasized the immense forces at play during the incident: "When you've got somewhere around 12 tons of metal and people careering down a hill, trying to change direction is really, really hard. So the magnitude of those forces involved would just want the car to go straight on which is why it's come off the track. It's just an absolute tragedy."
The absence of a properly functioning emergency brake further compounded the tragedy, raising questions about the safety mechanisms in place. The investigation will undoubtedly focus on whether these safeguards were adequate and operational.
The accident claimed the lives of sixteen people, with twenty-one others sustaining injuries. The victims included Portuguese nationals, as well as tourists from Germany, Spain, and other countries.
In the wake of the tragedy, Lisbon has entered a period of mourning, with the identities of the victims gradually being released. Among those mourned is André Marques, the dedicated brakeman who lost his life in the line of duty. Another victim was a German tourist who was on the tram with his wife and son, 3 – both of who survived.
While the upper carriage sustained minimal damage and only minor injuries to its passengers, the lower carriage bore the brunt of the impact, resulting in the devastating loss of life.
Authorities are diligently working to determine the precise cause of the derailment, with teams meticulously examining the crash site. The investigation aims to uncover any mechanical failures, human errors, or systemic issues that may have contributed to the accident.
Fabiana Pavel, president of the Bairro Alto Residents' Association, suggested that "excessive tourism" might have played a role in the tragedy, highlighting the potential strain on the city's infrastructure. She said the use of it in recent years is certainly inappropriate. It was used too much and the population lost the ability to use it as public transport, because it became a tourist attraction.”
Reports have emerged indicating that the cables responsible for moving the cars had not undergone daily maintenance since the end of August, raising concerns about potential negligence in safety protocols.
Bogas, head of Lisbon's tramways company, Carris, acknowledged the importance of daily inspections of the funicular, stating that general renovations are typically conducted every four years. The investigation will likely scrutinize whether these maintenance schedules were adhered to and whether they were sufficient to ensure the safety of the system.
The Lisbon funicular, while a charming and historic mode of transportation, serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of safety and maintenance in public transport systems. As the investigation unfolds, the hope is that lessons will be learned and measures implemented to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The full report is expected to be published soon.