A connecting cable failure likely caused the Lisbon funicular crash that killed three Britons and 13 others, Portuguese authorities have revealed. The popular tourist attraction derailed in the centre of the Portuguese capital on Wednesday night, injuring a further 21 people including five seriously.
Theatre director Kayleigh Smith and her partner Will Nelson, a lecturer at Manchester's Arden School of Theatre, have been named as two of the three British victims. The third British victim has not yet been identified.
Among the other fatalities were five Portuguese nationals, two Canadians, two South Koreans, one American, one French, one Swiss and one Ukrainian citizen. The 140-year-old Gloria funicular was packed with passengers when the tragedy occurred.
Investigation findings
Portugal's Office for Air and Rail Accident Investigations released its first report on Saturday, revealing crucial details about the crash sequence. According to the investigation, the cabins had travelled "not more than about six metres" when they "suddenly lost the balancing force provided by the cable connecting them".
The report describes how Cabin Number Two suddenly reversed its movement, halting approximately 10 metres beyond due to derailing past the end of the track. Meanwhile, Cabin Number One at the top continued its downward movement, rapidly increasing speed despite the brakeman's attempts to stop it.
Examination of the wreckage showed "the connecting cable had given way" at the attachment point to the cabin at the top of the hill. The cabin's pneumatic brake and hand brake had no effect in stopping or reducing its speed as it accelerated down the slope.
Family tributes
The families of the British couple have paid heartbreaking tributes to their loved ones. According to a statement issued by Cheshire Police, Smith's family described her as someone "loved by family and friends for her wit and humour" whose "kind and caring nature came to the fore in her work as a funeral operative".
Nelson's younger brother said the family was struggling to comprehend the loss. "He was always kind, selfless, and protective and the world does not feel right or normal without him," he said, adding that his brother "was and has always been my hero".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) expressed his deep sadness at the deaths of the three British nationals. "His thoughts are with their families and those affected by this terrible incident," a Number 10 spokesman said, adding that Britain stands "united with Portugal during this difficult time".
Background details
The Gloria funicular system features two separate yellow carriages that travel between Restauradores Square in central Lisbon and the Bairro Alto area. The electrified railway uses steel cables and typically completes journeys in three minutes up the steep slope.
Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro described the incident as "one of the biggest tragedies of our recent past". The derailment resulted in one carriage crashing into a building at a bend in the road.
The Foreign Office confirmed it is supporting the families of the three British nationals who died in the incident. Portuguese authorities are expected to publish preliminary and final investigation reports in due course.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
