Three Brits killed in Lisbon funicular crash, say Portuguese police | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Funicular crash in Lisbon
• Nationalities of the deceased
• Safety protocols and inspections
• Possible causes of the crash
• Negligent homicide investigation

Nationalities of the Deceased:

The Portuguese judicial police confirmed the nationalities of the 16 people who died in the Lisbon funicular crash. The breakdown is as follows:

• 5 Portuguese
• 2 South Koreans
• 1 Swiss
• 2 Canadians
• 1 Ukrainian
• 1 American
• 1 French
• 3 British

Injured Individuals:

Approximately 20 people were injured in the crash, with six currently in intensive care. The nationalities of the injured, including whether any are British, are currently unknown.

Safety Protocols and Inspections:

Gahish, the company operating the funicular, stated that all safety protocols were strictly followed. Key points include:

• Comprehensive inspections every four years, with the last one conducted in 2024.
• More frequent, shorter checks, including a half-hour check on the morning of the crash, which gave the funicular a "clean bill of rights."

Possible Causes of the Crash:

Speculation is growing regarding the cause of the crash. Potential factors being investigated include:

• Detachment of an overhead cable from the funicular.
• Failure of the funicular's braking system.
• An underground cable has also been dug up and taken away for inspection.

Investigation and Potential Charges:

The Portuguese police are investigating the incident, with "negligent homicide" being considered as a potential charge.

• Police emphasize that there is no indication of intentional crime or sabotage at this stage.
• Negligent homicide charges could be pursued if sufficient maintenance checks were not carried out.

Notable Quotes:

• "The company that runs the finicular, Gahish, said that it all the safety protocols were strictly followed."
• "...there is no indication so far that there is an intentional crime. This was an intentional crime or any type of sabotage."

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The Lisbon funicular crash resulted in 16 fatalities, including individuals from multiple countries. While the operating company claims adherence to safety protocols, the cause of the crash is under investigation, with potential factors including cable detachment and brake failure. The police are considering negligent homicide charges, pending the outcome of the investigation.