Cable Failure Causes Lisbon Funicular Crash, 16 Dead

A tragic funicular accident in Lisbon, Portugal, resulted in 16 deaths and nearly 20 injuries after a critical cable connecting the funicular cars snapped, causing one car to crash at high speed into a building. The historic "Gloria" funicular, a vital transport link and tourist attraction over 140 years old, experienced the failure despite a recent visual inspection that detected no anomalies, highlighting challenges in maintaining aging infrastructure. The accident investigation revealed that although emergency brakes were applied, they could not stop the runaway car, which accelerated down the slope uncontrollably. Victims came from various countries, including three Britons, emphasizing the global impact of the tragedy. The incident underscores broader concerns about infrastructure risk worldwide, pointing to the need for advanced predictive maintenance techniques and improved safety systems to prevent similar disasters. Portuguese authorities are conducting two independent investigations and expect to release a complete report within 45 days.