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The tragic cable car accident in Portugal's capital that took 16 people in the beginning of September was caused by a damaged cable, per the authoritative inquiry published on the start of the week.

The inquiry has recommended that the city's similar transports remain halted until their safety can be thoroughly verified.

Details of the Devastating Incident

This crash took place when the 19th-century Elevador da Glória went off track and crashed into a edifice, stunning the city and raising serious concerns about the safety of ageing tourist attractions.

Portugal's air and rail accident investigations bureau (the bureau) noted that a line joining two cabins had come loose just before the tragedy on 3 September.

Preliminary Findings

This preliminary document stated that the line failed to meet the specified specifications set by the urban transport operator.

This cable was not in compliance with the requirements currently applicable to be employed for the Glória funicular.

The comprehensive report additionally recommended that the remaining cable cars in the capital should remain suspended until authorities can confirm they have adequate brakes designed of halting the cabins in the scenario of a wire failure.

Victims and Harm

Among the 16 victims, 11 were international visitors, including three UK citizens, 2 citizens of South Korea, 2 citizens of Canada, a French national, one Swiss, one US national, and one Ukrainian.

The incident also hurt about twenty persons, among them 3 Britons.

Among the Portuguese casualties included four employees from the equivalent welfare organization, whose workplace are located at the peak of the steep side road used by the cable car.

Operational Information

This Glória first opened in the late 19th century, utilizing a method of weight compensation to move its 2 cars along its 870-foot route ascending and descending a steep slope.

According to authorities, a routine inspection on the morning of the crash detected nothing unusual with the line that later broke.

This probers also noted that the conductor had applied the vehicle's brakes, but they were powerless to prevent the vehicle without the support of the weight compensation system.

This whole incident unfolded in merely 50 seconds, per the investigation.

Next Steps

This bureau is anticipated to issue a conclusive analysis with operational recommendations within the coming year, though an intermediary update may offer additional details on the progress of the inquiry.