An Ottawa resident and survivor of a fatal tram accident in Lisbon last month expressed astonishment at the results of a recent report on the incident and is urging Portuguese authorities to be more accountable. Hind Iguernane and her husband Aziz Benharref were passengers on the tram that derailed on September 3 due to a cable break, resulting in a crash that claimed 16 lives.
Iguernane, who is currently recuperating in Morocco with her parents, vividly recalls the tragedy, especially the strong smell of smoke resembling gunpowder. She described the loss of her husband in the accident as devastating and emotionally challenging.
A preliminary report from Portugal’s Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail highlighted various issues with the Ascensor da Gloria, also known as the Gloria Lift. The report revealed that Lisbon’s public transport company, Carris, used a cable not certified for transporting people, and the car’s braking system was ineffective despite attempts to use both manual and automatic brakes before the crash. The report indicated that the emergency brake had not been tested in a cable failure scenario.
Iguernane emphasized her shock at the report’s findings, stating that it illustrated serious negligence rather than an accidental occurrence. While the report does not assign blame, it aims to present factual information, with a final report slated for next year.
Following the incident, the entire board of directors of Carris, including chairman Pedro de Brito Bogas, resigned. However, Iguernane believes that resignations are insufficient and calls for legal accountability for those responsible. She sustained injuries in the crash, including a fractured hip and shoulder, requiring three months of bed rest.
Iguernane’s brother, Youness Iguernane, emphasized the family’s quest for transparency and accountability from Portuguese officials. He revealed that they are awaiting a coroner’s report and expressed disappointment over the lack of communication from the Portuguese government since the tragedy.
The family intends to pursue legal action, with plans to seek justice for Benharref’s death. Iguernane emphasized that the incident was preventable and questions how such an event could occur in a modern city like Lisbon in 2025. She highlighted the need for accountability and criticized the promotion of the tram as a symbol of the city.