Lisbon Funicular Crash Report Highlights Major Safety Failures

Tue Oct 21 2025 13:19:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A preliminary investigation into the deadly Lisbon funicular accident reveals severe lapses in safety protocols and equipment maintenance, contributing to the tragic loss of 16 lives.

A preliminary report from Portugal's Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau has identified multiple failings that led to the Lisbon funicular crash that killed 16 people on September 3. Key issues included the use of a defective cable acquired in 2022 and a lack of oversight by transport officials. The report pointed out that the emergency brakes failed to function adequately during the incident, prompting calls for immediate safety checks across Lisbon's cable transport systems.

A preliminary report into last month's funicular crash in Lisbon that killed 16 people including three British nationals has detailed a litany of failings.

Portugal's Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau stated that an underground cable, which broke and caused the crash, was defective and had never been certified for passenger transportation.

The 140-year-old Glória funicular, a tourist favorite, derailed and crashed into a building on September 3.

The initial findings showed that there had been no necessary oversight or pre-installation testing on the acquired cable. Additionally, the company responsible for the funicular's maintenance had failed to perform adequate inspections. The emergency braking system, which was activated by the driver during the disaster, was also found to be malfunctioning.

Lisbon’s mayor, Carlos Moedas, remarked that the report confirmed the crash was due to technical failures rather than political oversight. Carris, the company managing public transport in Lisbon, acknowledged the issues but mentioned that it was unclear how the cable's defects influenced the crash, citing that it had previously operated without incident for 601 days.

The comprehensive report is expected to take up to 11 months for completion, in the meantime, all cable cars in Lisbon have been ordered out of service until safety checks are performed.