The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Coins, said on Friday that “will not speculate” about the new data that show that a change of the type of cable that supported the Glory Elevator may be at the origin of the origin that killed 16 people.
The revelation was made by the newspaper this Friday, based on statements from experts from Instituto Superior Technical (IST). The old cable, exchanged six years ago, was totally steel and was replaced by a new fiber core. Despite the change, the elevator fixation material remained and this is where the problem may be.
Asked about it, Carlos Coins told reporters, “Being the first to open an external investigation“that is taking place at this time.
“The data you present to me, the new data we got to know, have to do with a change of a cable six years ago. And therefore this shows the importance of the investigation, because it has to see the timeline (…), so I will not speculate about this information, there was a lot of information that came to the public and then it was verified.”
“These decisions that are made have an influence on the future. What we have been seeing here is that there is a decision for six years may have had an impact, but we don’t know, I don’t want to speculate and I won’t speculate.”he added.
“Does not want hasty conclusions”
Therefore, the Mayor emphasizes“We have to have the inspection, we have to have the investigation and after that we draw conclusions”saying that “You don’t want hasty conclusions.”
“It’s very important to continue to investigate. There is one thing that I promise to the Lisbon, we will investigate until the last consequence.”
The municipality chief also said that the current direction of Carris will answer questions about the change of cable. “Obviously it will come here to answer all the questions, but this is prior to this direction and this administration.”
Coins praises response from the Municipal Police
Carlos Coins is participating in the ceremony this Friday that marks the 134th anniversary of the Lisbon Municipal Police. The mayor of Lisbon praised the response given by the Municipal Police to the accident.
“It’s the day to value your delivery. Because being a municipal police is surrendering to danger. This is what I saw last week, in the tragic accident of the Glory’s Ascenser. I saw that within minutes the Municipal Police were already on site, I saw the municipal police officers next to firefighters, civil protection, doctors,” said the mayor.
According to Carlos Coins, it was “Thanks to the Lisbon Security Forces” who were able to save lives. “I was everywhere where a mayor could have been. I did everything within my reach. Lisbon responded with leadership, coordination. So I know it will never be possible to thank you enough. The whole country saw that they were authentic heroes.”recognized.
The social democrat also stressed the importance of valuing the police “At times when no one sees” And he recalled that he has advocated legislative changes so that this force can have more competences and make arrests of suspects.
“And that’s why I have insisted, without rest, with the government: Lisbon needs more municipal police, more video surveillance, noturnum guards. It is the security of the city that is concerned,” said the mayor, who reappointed in the October elections.
The Glory Elevator, under the management of Carris (under the tutelage of the municipality), derailed on September 3 in an accident that caused 16 dead and two dozen injured, including Portuguese and foreigners of various nationalities, and being investigated.
– With Lusa
