An Ottawa resident who survived a tragic funicular accident in Lisbon last month expresses disbelief at the recent report’s revelations and demands accountability from Portuguese authorities. Hind Iguernane and her husband Aziz Benharref were passengers on the tram that derailed on September 3, resulting in Benharref’s tragic death.
Reflecting on the incident, Iguernane, now recuperating in Morocco with her parents, vividly recalls the harrowing experience, including the overwhelming smell of smoke reminiscent of gunpowder.
A preliminary report by Portugal’s Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail sheds light on various issues with the Ascensor da Gloria, known as the Gloria Lift. It identified that Lisbon’s transport company, Carris, utilized a cable not certified for transporting passengers, although it did not conclusively link the cable to the accident.
Additionally, the report highlighted the ineffectiveness of the car’s braking system, with both manual and automatic brakes failing to prevent the crash. Notably, there was no evidence that the emergency brake had been tested under cable failure conditions. The investigation also revealed a perception among Carris technicians that the system’s safety solely relied on the cable.
Iguernane expressed shock at the report’s findings, emphasizing the negligence that led to the tragedy. While the report does not assign blame, it serves as a precursor to a final report expected next year.
Following the release of the report, the entire board of directors of Carris resigned, a move deemed insufficient by Iguernane, who insists on legal accountability for those responsible. Sustaining injuries in the crash, including a fractured hip and shoulder, Iguernane awaits medical clearance before returning to Ottawa.
Her brother, Youness Iguernane, emphasized the family’s quest for transparency and accountability from Portuguese officials, stressing the need for closure through communication rather than financial compensation. Despite considering legal action, Iguernane is yet to engage a lawyer, emphasizing the preventability of the tragedy and questioning how such an incident could occur in a modern city like Lisbon.
