A document published by the Portuguese newspaper Observador confirms that the Gloria funicular in Lisbon, which derailed earlier this week leaving 16 dead — including eight tourists — had undergone a safety inspection on the very morning of the accident.
The inspection began at 9:13 a.m. and lasted about half an hour. According to the report, engineers from MNTC – Serviços Técnico de Engenharia concluded the funicular “had all the conditions to operate.” They noted that cable replacement was not due for another 263 days.
The same document states that chains, rails, and metallic components of the carriages were in line with technical standards. Both the overhead network and balance cable were also examined and deemed normal.
Questions had been raised after Carris, the operator, cancelled its most recent maintenance tender in late August because all bids exceeded the budget. However, the company insists there was no service gap.
In a statement, Carris said: “We confirm there is a valid maintenance contract for the Santa Justa funicular, with no interruption in servicing these facilities.” The company added that a new contract has been in effect since September 1, though it is not publicly accessible, as such agreements are not published on Portugal’s Base portal.
The confirmation that the funicular had passed a same-day inspection is expected to intensify scrutiny of how such a catastrophic derailment could still occur.
