Train in Lisbon experiences cable detachment from its mechanism
In the heart of Lisbon, Portugal, a cable car accident has left a devastating impact, claiming the lives of 16 individuals and injuring 21 others. The incident occurred on a famous tourist attraction, the Elevador da GlΓ³ria, known for carrying around three million passengers a year.
The investigation into the cause of the accident has revealed that the cable connecting the two cars failed at its attachment point in the upper part of the car. The cable, which had been in use for 337 days, had detached from the yellow car. This type of cable, consisting of six strands, each with 36 steel wires and a fiber core with a total diameter of 32 millimeters, has been used in this cable car for about six years.
The expected lifespan of such a cable is 600 days, and the breaking load of the cable is approximately 68 tons. However, the reason why the brakes failed to stop the car remains unclear at first.
The "Elevador da GlΓ³ria" has a history of incidents. In the past, it was affected by a derailment accident caused by a technical anomaly, possibly linked to a loose cable leading to brake failure. This incident prompted investigations and operational inspections but is not specifically attributed to the fault of a particular company historically.
The authority has announced plans to submit a detailed report in 45 days and a comprehensive final report in one year. The victims of the accident were from various countries, including Germany, Portugal, UK, Canada, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, France, and the United States.
Among the injured was a German man, initially thought to be dead, who was found alive but seriously injured in a hospital. His wife and young son were also among the injured. This was the first such accident involving one of Lisbon's three cable cars.
The cable car crashed into a building at a speed of around 60 kilometers per hour. Only debris remained of the cable car after the crash. The Elevador da GlΓ³ria, a significant part of Lisbon's landscape and a popular tourist attraction, now stands as a sombre reminder of the tragedy that unfolded.
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