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This fatal cable car accident in Lisbon that claimed 16 lives in the beginning of September was attributed to a faulty cable, as stated by the authoritative inquiry issued on Monday.

The inquiry has advised that Portugal's capital's similar cable cars stay non-operational until their security can be completely verified.

Details of the Tragic Accident

The crash happened when the old Elevador da Glória went off track and collided into a structure, stunning the city and highlighting grave worries about the security of historic visitor sites.

Portugal's transport safety authority (the investigative body) noted that a line joining two cabins had disconnected just before the crash on September 3rd.

Early Results

The initial document confirmed that the wire failed to meet the required requirements set by the local transport operator.

This wire failed to comply with the requirements mandated to be used for the Glória cable car.

The 35-page analysis additionally recommended that all inclined railways in the city ought to stay suspended until experts can ensure they have adequate brakes able of immobilising the cabins in the case of a cable break.

Victims and Injuries

Among the 16 casualties, 11 were non-Portuguese citizens, comprising three UK nationals, 2 Korean nationals, two citizens of Canada, a French national, one Swiss, one US national, and a Ukrainian national.

This incident also injured about twenty people, including three UK nationals.

Among the Portuguese victims featured four staff members from the equivalent care facility, whose premises are positioned at the summit of the sharp side road accessed by the cable car.

Historical Information

The Elevador da Glória first opened in 1885, employing a system of weight compensation to move its two wagons along its 265-metre track ascending and descending a precipitous incline.

As per authorities, a standard inspection on the day of the crash detected no issues with the line that subsequently snapped.

The experts also reported that the operator had activated the vehicle's brakes, but they were powerless to prevent the car without the assistance of the counterweight system.

The whole crash occurred in merely less than a minute, per the inquiry.

Future Steps

This investigative body is anticipated to issue a definitive document with safety recommendations within the coming year, though an interim report may deliver additional information on the status of the investigation.