Lisbon, Oct. 14, 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal's incumbent train operator, CP, has opened an inquiry into the "possible causes" of the incident involving an Intercidades train that lost a carriage at around 4 p.m. on Monday due to broken couplings while travelling between Lisbon and Faro.
In a note sent to Lusa, CP said there was an "anomaly at the exit of Grândola station", caused by a "break in the coupling between two trains, which resulted in the separation of carriages from the train".
"There are no previous records of this fault occurring in the mechanical parts that broke. However, passenger safety was not affected, since trains are designed to brake and come to a halt in these situations," the note said.
The Intercidades had left Lisbon-Oriente at 14:02 and was due to arrive in Faro at 17:35.
According to CP, the passengers on the carriage that was left behind "were safely taken to the remaining carriages".
After checking "all the carriages and their safety conditions", the train continued on to Faro.
According to the Público newspaper, the situation, although unusual, is not dangerous, since a break in a coupling causes a rupture in the general brake circuit and forces both parts of the train to stop immediately, regardless of the line's gradient.
The affected carriage was towed to Grândola with the help of a Medway freight locomotive.
CP said that "the company scrupulously carries out periodic maintenance of all rolling stock", and that the inspection plan for the affected train "is being fulfilled as planned".
The company also emphasises "the effort and dedication of the maintenance teams", who ensure that around 1,350 trains run every day, offering "a safe service to our customers".
In the meantime, the Secretary of State for Mobility said that "it has been following the incident that took place last Monday with the Intercidades train that was travelling between Lisbon and Faro from the outset, and that there were no injuries or material damage".
However, the Público newspaper pointed to a possible "maintenance failure" as the cause of the coupling breakage, adding that CP has had difficulties overhauling and repairing faulty rolling stock due to a lack of specialised workers and a shortage of funds.
It also added that "one in five Intercidades carriages is stuck in the workshops" awaiting maintenance.
CT/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
