An Ottawa resident who survived a fatal funicular accident in Lisbon last month expressed astonishment at the revelations of a recent report on the incident and urged for increased accountability from Portuguese authorities.
Hind Iguernane, along with her husband Aziz Benharref, was one of 27 passengers on the tram that derailed on September 3 due to a snapped cable, resulting in a rapid descent and collision with a building. Tragically, Benharref was among the 16 individuals who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Reflecting on the loss of her husband, Iguernane shared her emotional journey, stating, “Losing my husband in such a tragedy completely shattered my world. Some days, I manage to cope, but others are much more challenging.”
Currently recuperating with her parents in Morocco, Iguernane vividly recalls the incident, including the heavy smoke that permeated the air with a gunpowder-like scent. “I can still recall the smell,” she said, her voice on the verge of tears.
The recent preliminary report from Portugal’s Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail shed light on multiple issues surrounding the railway, particularly the Ascensor da Gloria, or the Gloria Lift, a popular tourist attraction. The report highlighted that Carris, one of Lisbon’s public transport companies, had utilized a cable not certified for transporting passengers, though it did not definitively link the cable to the accident.
Furthermore, the report revealed the ineffectiveness of the car’s braking system, noting that both manual and automatic brakes were engaged prior to the crash, but failed to prevent it. It was also disclosed that Carris had no documented proof of testing the emergency brake in a cable failure scenario. Employees associated with the funicular expressed a belief that the cable was the sole safety mechanism, as per the report.
“I was in disbelief,” Iguernane commented. “The report clearly indicates this was not an accident but a result of severe negligence.”
The investigative body clarified that the report was not aimed at assigning liability or blame and that a final report is anticipated next year. Subsequently, the board of directors of Carris, including chairman and president Pedro de Brito Bogas, resigned en masse in response to the incident.
While acknowledging the resignations, Iguernane emphasized the need for legal accountability, stating, “Resignations are insufficient; they must face legal consequences for their actions.”
Suffering from a fractured hip and shoulder due to the crash, Iguernane emphasized her desire for justice and accountability, expressing a reluctance to accept her husband’s death as a mere accident. The family intends to pursue legal recourse but has yet to engage a lawyer.
Iguernane’s brother, Youness Iguernane, residing in Orléans, echoed the family’s quest for transparency and accountability from Portuguese officials. He highlighted the absence of communication from the Portuguese government since the incident, emphasizing the family’s need for compassionate acknowledgment over financial compensation.
As Iguernane navigates her recovery and contemplates her return to Ottawa, she remains resolute in seeking justice for her husband’s tragic passing and questioning the preventability of such a catastrophic event in the heart of Lisbon in modern times.
