Panic broke out on Friday in Alvalade, Lisbon, after 500 people were trapped in subway cars following a low-speed derailment caused by a “needle malfunction” in a tunnel at the metro’s entrance. Green Line station, the company explained.
It all happened at 7:30 am. According to witnesses interviewed CM, the subway suddenly stopped. The driver warned passengers that there would be an accident, but did not specify how long they would stay inside the cars. Afterwards, 500 people were left in the dark due to a power outage due to security reasons. There was no ventilation in the subway cars; the windows were closed. Several people panicked, so firefighters treated the two women as they were stressed and anxious. One of them lost consciousness and was carried to the ambulance by other passengers.
The man, who had a toolbox to go to work, ended up using the material and breaking several windows so that people could breathe easier and gradually exit the carriages. Only after more than half an hour did Lisbon firefighters begin to remove passengers. Although at this time several passengers were already walking through the tunnel.
The Metropolitan of Lisbon opened an investigation “to analyze the circumstances in which this incident occurred.” Experts analyzed the carriage for several hours. The PSP along with several agents were present on site to ensure maximum security.
According to what morning Post It was possible to determine that the damaged car – the driver’s car – did not overturn and was already idling at the time of the derailment.
Iraselma Renato – Lisbon metro passenger
“Suddenly the metro broke down. We thought it would be quick, but it wasn’t. People were all excited, the subway was very crowded. I even felt bad and lost consciousness. Here I had to help the firefighters. .Flooding, the lights were off, it was a huge panic.”
“By the time we arrived, the evacuation process was already underway in an orderly and natural manner. About 500 people were evacuated. There were two people who were identified as being in a high state of alert and had to be treated on site.”
Iraselma Renato – Lisbon metro passenger
“Suddenly the metro broke down. We thought it would be quick, but it wasn’t. People were all excited, the subway was very crowded. I even felt bad and lost consciousness. Here I had to help the firefighters. .Flooding, the lights were off, it was a huge panic.”
Jose Marquez –
Lisbon sappers“By the time we arrived, the evacuation process was already underway in an orderly and natural manner. About 500 people were evacuated. There were two people who were identified as being in a high state of alert and had to be treated on site.”
Conditional circulation
The yellow and green metro lines were blocked for several hours. The Yellow Line reopened at 10am, two and a half hours after the incident. As for the Green Line, the Alameda-Cais do Sodré section was reopened on Friday and metro service is expected to return to normal this Saturday at 6:00 am.
Author: Francisca Laranjo
Source: CM Jornal
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