A recent official preliminary report revealed that the crash of a streetcar in Lisbon, Portugal, last month, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals, including three Canadians, and injuries to 21 others, was due to a combination of a steel cable failure and maintenance deficiencies.
The streetcar, a historic funicular attraction operating on a steep hill, experienced a catastrophic derailment, making it one of Lisbon’s most tragic incidents in recent history. The accident occurred as the streetcar careened down the hill, veering off the tracks on a curve and colliding with a structure, severely damaging the wooden cabin. Among the fatalities, 11 were foreign nationals, including a couple from Quebec and a man from Ottawa.
According to the report by the Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation, the steel cable connecting the two streetcar cars to balance their weight was deemed inadequate for public transport use. The cable, which had been in service for less than a year, was not certified for transportation purposes and was not installed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. The investigation highlighted maintenance program discrepancies, citing instances where standards were either non-existent, inapplicable, or outdated.
Following the cable’s failure, safety mechanisms disengaged power to the streetcar, rendering the pneumatic brake ineffective and the manual brake insufficient to halt the vehicle’s descent down the hill. Authorities are now assessing the need for enhancements to streetcar braking systems in light of the incident. It is important to note that the preliminary report does not assign fault or determine liability, with a comprehensive final report expected to be released next year after a more thorough examination of the accident.