标签： Europe

A preliminary investigation into the catastrophic Lisbon funicular crash, which claimed 16 lives, including three British nationals, has unveiled a series of alarming systemic failures. The incident, which occurred on September 3, involved the 140-year-old Glória funicular, a popular tourist attraction, derailing and colliding with a building. According to Portugal’s Air and Rail Accident Investigations Bureau, the crash was triggered by the failure of a defective underground cable that served as a counterweight between two carriages. Shockingly, the cable was neither technically suitable nor certified for passenger transportation. It was acquired in 2022 by Carris, the company responsible for Lisbon’s public transport. The report highlighted a lack of oversight by Carris engineers, who failed to test the cable before installation. Additionally, the maintenance and supervision of the funicular, outsourced by Carris, were inadequate, with the Glória funicular reportedly receiving clearance on the morning of the disaster, though it remains unclear if the inspection actually took place. The state body overseeing Lisbon’s funiculars also neglected its duty to include the Glória funicular in its jurisdiction. The emergency brake system, which the driver attempted to activate when the cable snapped, malfunctioned and had never been tested. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, re-elected on October 12 despite criticism over his oversight of the city’s funiculars, emphasized that the tragedy was due to technical rather than political causes. Carris issued a statement asserting that it was premature to determine the relevance of the non-compliant cable to the accident, noting that similar cables had been used without incident for 601 days prior. The company also clarified that while the cables were introduced under the current board, the acquisition process occurred under the previous administration. The full investigation is expected to take 11 months, and all Lisbon cable cars have been suspended until comprehensive safety checks are implemented.

A devastating streetcar accident in Lisbon, Portugal, last month, which claimed 16 lives and left 21 injured, has been attributed to a combination of a failed steel cable and significant maintenance deficiencies, according to an official preliminary report released on Monday. The incident, one of the city’s most tragic in recent history, involved a century-old funicular streetcar, a beloved tourist attraction that traverses a steep hill in tandem with a second car. The streetcar derailed on a bend, hurtling down the hill before crashing into a building, reducing the wooden cabin to a mangled wreck. Among the victims, 11 were foreign nationals. The Office for Air and Rail Accident Prevention and Investigation revealed that the underground steel haulage cable, which connected the two cars and balanced their weight, was inadequate for its purpose. The cable, in use for less than a year, lacked certification for public transport and was improperly installed, contravening the manufacturer’s guidelines. The report highlighted five instances where the maintenance program referenced ‘non-existent, inapplicable, or outdated standards.’ Following the cable’s failure, safety systems cut power to the streetcar, rendering the pneumatic brake ineffective and the manual brake insufficient to halt the car’s descent. Investigators are also examining potential improvements to the streetcar’s braking system. The preliminary report does not assign liability or blame, with a more comprehensive final report expected next year.

Nebojsa Pavkovic, the former chief of the Serb-led Yugoslav army, who was convicted of war crimes during the Kosovo conflict, has passed away at the age of 79. Serbian officials and media confirmed his death on Monday in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital. Pavkovic had been released from a Finnish prison less than a month prior, where he was serving a 22-year sentence for atrocities committed against ethnic Albanians in the 1998-99 war.

A tragic incident unfolded on a highway near Rieti, Italy, when a bus carrying supporters of the Pistoia Basket basketball team was attacked by rival fans, resulting in the death of a bus driver. The attack occurred as the fans were returning from a game between Pistoia Basket and SRS Sebastiani Rieti, two second-tier Italian basketball teams. According to local media reports, fans of SRS Sebastiani Rieti allegedly began hurling stones at the bus, one of which shattered the windscreen and struck 65-year-old Raffaele Marianella, a bus driver who was seated at the front but not driving at the time. Marianella succumbed to his injuries shortly after the attack. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the incident as ‘an unacceptable and insane act of violence,’ extending her condolences to the victim’s family and vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. A police investigation is currently underway to identify and apprehend those responsible. Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi labeled the attack a ‘shocking assault,’ emphasizing that the perpetrators were ‘criminals who have turned into murderers and can never be called fans.’ Gianni Petrucci, president of the national basketball federation Federbasket, echoed these sentiments, stating, ‘This is not about basketball. These are criminals.’ He pledged to collaborate with legal authorities to address the incident. The attack has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about fan violence in sports.

In a stunning heist that has left Paris in shock, a collection of priceless jewels tied to 19th-century French imperial history was stolen from the Louvre Museum. The theft, described as extraordinary, has prompted an intense investigation as the iconic museum remains closed for a second day. According to the French Culture Ministry, the stolen items include several pieces of immense historical significance. Among them are the emerald necklace and earrings once worn by Empress Marie-Louise, the second wife of Napoleon I. Also missing are the crown and brooch of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, as well as the crown and sapphire jewelry worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, who reigned from 1830 to 1848. A reliquary brooch, another treasured artifact, was also taken. These jewels not only represent opulence but also serve as tangible links to France’s imperial past. The heist has raised concerns about security at one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions and has left historians and art enthusiasts mourning the loss of these irreplaceable treasures.

The Louvre Museum in Paris remained closed on Monday following a brazen daylight theft of historic Napoleonic-era jewels, prompting a nationwide reassessment of security measures at cultural institutions. The audacious heist, which unfolded just 250 meters from the iconic Mona Lisa, involved thieves using a basket lift to scale the museum’s facade, forcing entry through a window, and smashing display cases to steal priceless artifacts. The robbery, lasting less than eight minutes, occurred shortly after the museum opened, with visitors already inside, marking one of the most high-profile museum thefts in recent memory.

French officials confirmed that eight objects, including a sapphire diadem, necklaces, earrings, and a reliquary brooch linked to 19th-century French queens and Empress Marie-Louise, were stolen. One item, Empress Eugénie’s imperial crown adorned with over 1,300 diamonds, was later recovered outside the museum. Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the operation as highly professional, with thieves demonstrating precise knowledge of their targets.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged significant security lapses, questioning why windows were unsecured and a basket lift was accessible on a public road. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has ordered an immediate review of security protocols at cultural sites across France. Meanwhile, the Louvre’s staff informed visitors of the closure and promised refunds for pre-booked tickets.

The incident has cast a spotlight on the museum’s ongoing ‘Louvre New Renaissance’ plan, a 700-million-euro initiative launched earlier this year to modernize infrastructure and enhance security. Dati emphasized that the museum, originally designed for far fewer visitors, faces unique challenges in safeguarding its treasures. Investigations are ongoing, with evidence including motorcycles and license plates recovered from the scene.