Cable Car Disaster in Lisbon: First Victims Identified, Including a Ukrainian.

According to The Sun: The first victims of the cable car disaster in Lisbon became known after the tragedy, in which 16 people died when the tram derailed and crashed into a hotel.

Among the victims is the operator André Jorge Gonçalves Marques, described as a 'dedicated, kind, and happy professional', and Pedro Trinidade, a former volleyball referee mourned by his federation.

André Marques, the cable car operator, was named and depicted as the first victim Former volleyball referee Pedro Trinidade has been identified as one of the victims AFP

Police are investigating the 'Gloria' cable car accident the day after the tragedy, which claimed 16 lives.

Among the victims is also a German tourist who was traveling with his wife and three-year-old son. The boy was found under the debris; he was holding onto a police officer while his father died nearby. His mother suffered a spinal fracture, but the baby has already reunited with his seriously injured mother in the hospital.

The Portuguese police confirmed that among the victims were two Canadians, a German, an American, and a Ukrainian, who were identified with a high degree of certainty.

In total, eight women and seven men were killed, and two victims remain unnamed.

The Attorney General reported that among the five identified Portuguese, three worked at the 'Santa Casa da Misericórdia' organization.

Among the dead and injured are also Germans, Spaniards, Canadians, Italians, French, Swiss, Moroccans, and Cape Verdeans.

Footage of the horrific accident shows rescuers rushing to the wreckage of the cable car after the tragedy.

“There was chaos. We all ran, everyone was there. Some tried to pull people out from under the tram,”

Bruno Pereira

The 'Gloria' cable car – one of Lisbon's most famous landmarks – derailed after a cable snapped on Wednesday.

During the disaster, 21 people were injured.

The tram careened uncontrollably down the street before crashing into a building with full force.

Witnesses described how the car crumpled like a 'cardboard box' when it struck the wall.

The cable car was destroyed; a witness recounted seeing a pedestrian crushed under the debris.

Lisbon has declared a three-day mourning period for the first victims.

Police are currently investigating, trying to understand what happened.

Stunning footage shows how brave civilians responded to help at the moment of the disaster.

People rushed down the steep street to find out that the car had flipped over on its side and had been torn to pieces.

Clouds of smoke and dust rose in the air as a crowd of curious onlookers gathered below on the slope.

A frightened witness urged help, saying he heard the cries of children trapped under the debris. A three-year-old child was found with minor injuries, according to local media.

Witness Teresa d'Avo told SIC news channel: “It hit the building with incredible force and collapsed like a cardboard box. 'It crashed with such force. There were no brakes.”

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Witnesses described how the lower car seemed to derail with a 'metallic clatter'. Then, after a few seconds, the upper car sped down the slope at 'crazy speed', hitting the turn as if it was 'thrown' down.

Bruno noted: “There was chaos. We all ran, everyone was there. Some tried to pull people out from under the tram. The body was mangled, debris was everywhere, and the metal tracks where the cable car used to run were all ripped out.”

He discovered that a little boy emerged from under the debris, asking to be picked up. Rescue teams and medics arrived shortly after, flooding the ruins.

For the rescue operation, 62 rescuers and 22 vehicles were deployed for a two-hour mission on site.

The National Institute of Medical Emergencies of Portugal confirmed that some victims are foreign nationals. A German pregnant woman is in critical condition, according to reports.

André Marques, the operator responsible for the cable car during the derailment, was announced as the first victim.

Solarpix

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the derailment, but preliminary data indicates a cable snap. Witnesses pointed to a possible failure of the emergency brake when the car detached.

Fabiana Pavel, president of the Bairro Alto residents' association, stated that the tragedy could have occurred due to 'overtourism'. She noted: “The use of the cable car in recent years has become unacceptable. It is used by too many people, and local residents have lost the ability to use it as public transport since it has become a tourist attraction.”

The Portuguese government has declared a national day of mourning.

Lisbon and Tagus police director, João Oliveira, noted that the number of seriously injured turned out to be “somewhat higher” than initially thought.

This came after the British Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is in contact with Lisbon authorities and ready to provide support to any British citizens who may have been affected.

A witness told SIC news channel: “Unfortunately, I saw a man on the sidewalk at the point where the tram hit the building.”

The Mayor of Lisbon announced three days of mourning for the city, and the Portuguese government also declared a national day of mourning.

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed deep condolences over the tragedy, particularly regarding the deceased and serious injuries, as well as minor injuries.

He offered support to the families affected by this tragedy and hopes that the competent authorities will quickly determine the causes of the incident.

Pedro Bogas, head of the Lisbon tram company 'Carris', stated that it is 'a very sad day not only for the victims but also for their families'.

He said: “We are very sorry for what happened. Today is a day of mourning.”

The transport chief noted that daily checks are conducted on the cable car, and general repairs are carried out every four years.

Expert Analysis: What Went Wrong?

Professor Dave Cooper, chairman of the British standards committee on cable cars, commented on the possible causes of the tragedy.

He noted: “This system was opened in 1885, so it barely meets the modern standards of new cable systems.

This system can be considered historical. It has two cars, each designed for 43 people and covers a distance of approximately 265 meters.

When the lower car just left the station, the upper car descended. Passengers from the lower car reported that the car had just left the lower station, and then suddenly began to move backward and stopped. Apparently, the lower car is still in that position, while the descending upper car derailed.

It is quite possible that the cables connecting the two cars snapped. It is known that there were turns on the tracks, and if the upper car descended uncontrollably, the geometry of the track likely allowed it to derail due to the speed achieved.

It is unclear why the emergency brake (if there was one) on the uncontrollable descending car did not activate. It is possible that it activated but could not cope with the combination of the weight of the car and passengers and the speed at which it was moving.”

The last time the cable car underwent general maintenance was in 2022.

Bogas stated: “We have strict protocols, professionals with years of experience, and we need to figure out what happened.”

The accident occurred during the evening rush hour when the cable car was filled with both tourists and locals.

The cable car, known as 'Gloria', can carry more than 40 passengers at once, both sitting and standing, and is often used by Lisbon residents for daily trips.

The cable car consists of two cars that are continuously attached to each end of the same traction cable; when one rises, the other descends.

Gloria connects the Restauradores square with the trendy Bairro Alto district and has been transporting tourists up the steep slopes since 1885.

This is one of three cable cars of this type in Lisbon.

The 'Gloria' cable car has derailed before, but never with such catastrophic consequences.

On May 7, 2018, a major maintenance error led to a derailment, but the car remained upright, and no one was injured. Service was suspended for about a month.

Firefighters work at the scene after the derailment Reuters Police line protecting the ruins that evening Solarpix

The cable car can accommodate over 40 passengers at once.