All Cable Trams in Lisbon Must Remain Stationary for the Time Being after Wednesday’s accident, in which Fifteen People died. Meanwhile, Witnesses have told Portuguese media how the tram drove down and crashed into houses.
Lisbon is Slowly Realizing What a Disaster Happened on Wednesday Evening. Around 6:05 pm (7:05 pm in the Netherlands), One of the Two Trams of the Elevador da Glória derailed. That cable tram covers a steep route of almost 300 meters in the Portuguese capital.
The tram, a popular tourist attraction, was full at the time of the accident. There is Room for 42 Passengers in the tram. In Addition to the Fifteen Fatalities, Eighteen People Were Injured, Five of Whom Are SeriOutly Injured. A three-year-old child is also the minor injured.
It is Still Unclear How the Cable Tram, which was at the top of the Hill, Could Derail. Eyewitnesses Saw the Tram Fly out of the Bend and Crash Into Houses on the Edge of the Street. Presumable, The Tram had driven a long way down before that.
The Two Trams of the Elevador da Glória are connected to each other with a cable. When boarding and disembarking, one tram is at the top of the tram line, and the other is at the bottom.
Panic In The Other Tram
Just before the accident, A Bang was Heard near the tram that was at the bottom, several occupants of that tram tolerate CNN Portugal . At that moment, that tram also unexpectedly drove down a short distance and came to a standstill with a jolt at the end of the rails.
Shortly afterwards, Occupants Saw the Top Tram Coming Down. Panic Ensued in the Tram That was Still at the Bottom: Several People Left That Tram by Climbing Out of the Windows. People Then Ran Away, Fearing That the Tram would come all the way down and uncontrollable drive onto the square below, Witnesses Tell Correio de Manhà . POOTOLY, the tram crashed into the houses halfway down the hill.
Other cable trams remain stationary for the time being
The Newspaper Observador Reports That a Cable Has Broken. The Newspaper Heard that from Sources at the Fire Department, But Nothing Has Yet Been Shared about this in Official Statements From The Authorities. Lisbon’s Transport Company Carris and the Portuguese Government Have Announced An Investigation Into The Cause of the Accident.
In The Meantime, The Other Cable Trams in Lisbon Willin Stationary for the Time Being. The Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, Has Informed the Transport Company of this, Observador Reports. The suspension does not Apply to the Regular Tram Lines.