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The fatal cable car incident in Portugal's capital that took 16 lives in the start of the ninth month was triggered by a damaged wire, according to the authoritative probe issued on Monday.

This probe has recommended that the city's equivalent vehicles remain out of service until their operational integrity can be fully confirmed.

Details of the Devastating Incident

This crash occurred when the old Glória cable car went off track and smashed into a edifice, horrifying the capital and raising significant fears about the safety of older visitor sites.

Portugal's accident investigation agency (GPIAAF) reported that a cable connecting two compartments had disconnected just before the tragedy on September 3rd.

Initial Conclusions

The initial report indicated that the wire failed to meet the specified specifications established by the urban transit authority.

The cable did not comply with the specifications currently applicable to be used for the Glória cable car.

This 35-page report further advised that the remaining funiculars in the capital should remain suspended until inspectors can ensure they have effective stopping mechanisms able of halting the vehicles in the case of a wire failure.

Victims and Casualties

Of the 16 fatalities, eleven were foreign nationals, featuring 3 British individuals, 2 South Koreans, 2 Canadians, a citizen of France, a Swiss, one US national, and one Ukrainian national.

This crash also harmed about 20 individuals, among them three Britons.

Among the local casualties comprised 4 employees from the same social care institution, whose premises are located at the top of the sharp side road used by the funicular.

Operational Details

This Glória was inaugurated in the late 19th century, using a mechanism of weight compensation to move its two compartments along its long track ascending and descending a steep incline.

According to authorities, a standard examination on the morning of the incident detected no anomalies with the line that subsequently broke.

The investigators also reported that the driver had engaged the funicular's braking system, but they were unable to halt the carriage without the function of the balancing mechanism.

This complete event occurred in only less than a minute, according to the investigation.

Next Measures

The investigative body is scheduled to publish a conclusive analysis with security suggestions within the coming year, though an intermediary document may deliver more details on the development of the investigation.