“Regarding the causes of this accident, I want to note that we have already opened an internal inquiry, for which we will also rely on the collaboration of external consultants, at the request, in fact, of the mayor of Lisbon,” stated the president of Carris, Pedro de Brito Bogas, at a press conference about the derailment of the Glória elevator, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon.
This accident resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people and injured around twenty citizens of various nationalities.
This afternoon, after participating in the Council of Ministers meeting, at the invitation of the head of government, Luís Montenegro (PSD), the mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas (PSD), said he requested the municipal company Carris to conduct “an independent external investigation,” in addition to the internal inquiry, to determine the responsibilities for the derailment of the Glória elevator.
“Anything that could be said at this moment is mere speculation. The city needs answers. I am, on behalf of the people of Lisbon, the first interested party in ensuring that everything, everything, is clarified,” stated Carlos Moedas, noting that he asked the president of Carris, in addition to an internal investigation, to open “an independent external investigation to determine all responsibilities in the shortest possible time.”
The Glória elevator is managed by Carris, connecting the Restauradores to the São Pedro de Alcântara Garden in the Bairro Alto, over a distance of about 265 meters, and is very popular among tourists.
In the press conference to provide more information about the derailment, the president of Carris indicated that the public transport company, under the management of the Lisbon City Council since 2017, “is providing all necessary collaboration to all competent entities conducting investigation procedures.”
“We have also proceeded to suspend the operation of all lifts and the elevator, which will undergo a rigorous technical inspection by an external entity in the coming days,” reinforced Pedro de Brito Bogas, unable to predict when they will return to operation.
On Wednesday night, the mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, ordered the immediate suspension of operations of the Bica and Lavra lifts and the Graça funicular for inspection: “An immediate audit is underway and they will only resume operation after this.”
Following the accident, the president of the municipal company responsible for the Glória elevator assured that “safety has been an absolute priority for Carris for 152 years” and that he will be uncompromising in determining the causes and responsibilities of this accident.
“We are committed to soon being here to present you with the conclusions of this inquiry,” he stated.
Offering condolences to the families of the deceased and injured, Pedro de Brito Bogas thanked “the efficiency and response of the rescue team, which allowed saving lives,” in the emergency response to the accident.
“The Carris social support office is providing all assistance to the victims of the Glória elevator accident concerning material, logistical, and other issues,” he added.
The Glória elevator, consisting of two synchronized motorized electric cabins connected by a cable, derailed late Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people and causing injuries to around twenty individuals of various nationalities.
The government has declared a national day of mourning, observed today, and the Lisbon City Council has declared three days of municipal mourning, from this Thursday to Saturday, for the victims of the tragic accident at the Glória elevator.
