Portugal’s capital is stunned after the accident Funicularin which 16 people were killed, including 1 Ukrainian. More than 20 people were injured when Elevador de Gloria – one of Lisbon’s most famous attractions – got off the rails and crashed into a building in a popular tourist area. The authorities confirmed that there are foreign citizens among the dead.
The tragedy happened to one of Lisbon’s favorite tourist sites. The electric funicular came down from the rails, rolled down at speed and crashed into the building during the evening peak.
The witness said: “He fell about one and a half meters and hit the roar. Inside was full of people. We wanted to help, but suddenly we saw another wagon rushing down. The only thing we could do was to turn around and run away. I looked around and saw that at least one person had managed to get out of the sidewalk before the blow. ”
More than a dozen people were victims of the accident. The mayor of the city said it was an unprecedented tragedy: “Many of the victims are now in hospitals. I will visit them. But first of all I want to say – we are in mourning. All Lisbon is in mourning. There was no such thing in our city. ”
Gloria funicular worked since 1885, raised and descended passengers on the slopes and was popular among tourists and locals. Investigation of the causes of the accident at the initial stage, but the transport company insists that all service protocols have been observed.
Portuguese journalists reported that the country was deeply impressed. The Day of National Mourning, Lisbon Mayor called this day tragic, the president expressed his condolences, election campaigns were suspended. Solidarity statements from the leaders of other countries and the EU are heard. All three historical Lisbona funicles have been stopped to check security.
Pre -data indicate a possible break or malfunction of the insurance cable. After that, the wagon went uncontrollably. Safety systems, including emergency brakes, have not worked. It was the refusal of the reserve mechanisms that turned the technical malfunction into a large tragedy. The reason is yet to find out: whether it is fatigue, maintenance delay, brake breakdown or other factors.
Gloria funicular is known in Lisbon as Ascensor Da Glória. It has been operating since 1885, later electrified, in 2002 became a national monument. More than 3 million passengers have transported annually. The length of the route is less than 300 meters, but with a height difference of 48 meters and a maximum slope of about 18%. It is impossible to imagine that passengers have experienced when the wagon lost control.
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Source: Sport.ua