The transport workers union, FECTRANS, emphasizes the need for a thorough evaluation in response to the initial findings from the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Elevator Accidents and Related Matters (GPIAAF), stating its importance in addressing various concerns.
The GPIAAF report indicates that the deceased worker did everything within his power, yet it did not prevent the disaster. FECTRANS questions the frequency and quality of safety assessments for equipment systems, as well as potential changes in maintenance procedures amidst increased passenger numbers.
The union also criticized the outsourcing of maintenance services, which occurred due to investment cutbacks in Carris’s workshop sector between 2006 and 2007, resulting in the departure of over 300 workers, particularly senior staff, without the transfer of knowledge to younger generations.
It is noted that when Carris managed maintenance, there was a significantly higher number of dedicated and permanent workers compared to the situation at the time of the accident.
FECTRANS believes the accident necessitates the modernization of elevator transportation in Lisbon and the introduction of other effective and safe backup systems.
“Lisbon requires these elevators because, beyond tourist use, they are crucial for mobility, given the city’s characteristics,” FECTRANS stated.
The Glória elevator in Lisbon derailed on Wednesday, resulting in 16 deaths and around 20 injuries, affecting both Portuguese and foreign individuals of various nationalities.
The casualties included five Portuguese, two South Koreans, one Swiss, three Britons, two Canadians, one Ukrainian, one American, and one French national.
In response to the accident, the Government declared a national day of mourning, and the Lisbon City Council designated three days of municipal mourning.
The Glória elevator, operated by Carris, connects the Restauradores to the Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, covering a span of approximately 265 meters and is a popular attraction among tourists.
