Drill Simulating Carriage Derailment at Bom Jesus Elevator Tested Emergency Response and Contributed to Training in a Complex Scenario.
In March, the historic Bom Jesus Elevator will turn 143 years old, and to this day, no accidents have ever been recorded. However, to ensure that everyone is prepared to respond to a possible incident, another drill was carried out yesterday morning. The operation involved the Confraria do Bom Jesus, the Braga Sapadores Firefighters, the Municipal Civil Protection, INEM, and the GNR.
The drill simulated a derailment scenario involving carriage No. 1 of the elevator, which was on its downward journey, resulting in two minor injuries and one serious injury.
“This was a previously coordinated exercise, but it is always a very challenging scenario that creates significant difficulties, especially due to the slope, which has an inclination of over 100%, meaning greater than 45º,” explained Nuno Osório, commander of the Braga Sapadores Firefighters, highlighting the “technical complexity” of operating in such conditions.
This drill involved 27 firefighters and seven vehicles from the Braga Sapadores Firefighters, four personnel from the Municipal Civil Protection with one vehicle, and three GNR officers.
Nuno Osório emphasized that the most important aspect of this drill was “the learning process,” noting that many of the newest recruits in the force were mobilized for this exercise, experiencing this operational scenario for the first time.
“The most important aspect of this type of exercise is the training of professionals, the coordination with Civil Protection, and the Confraria do Bom Jesus, which is crucial for success,” stated the Sapadores commander, adding that the hope is that this drill will never turn into a real event, “but if it does, we will be prepared to respond effectively.”
Nuno Osório also praised the “exemplary” performance of the GNR. “They were the first force to arrive on site, demonstrating an exemplary approach in interpreting the scenario and relaying information about what was happening. They were also exemplary in traffic management and maintaining public order,” he noted.
The operation was coordinated by Councilor Altino Bessa, responsible for the Municipal Civil Protection, who also highlighted the importance of this exercise in familiarizing personnel, especially the firefighters who joined the Braga Sapadores in the most recent recruitment process.
Representing the Confraria do Bom Jesus do Monte, Varico Pereira explained to Correio do Minho that this drill is conducted every two years and is “necessary to maintain safety procedures and to train the teams involved in emergency response.” Additionally, it is also a legally required procedure.
“The Bom Jesus Elevator has never had an accident, and we hope it stays that way, but these exercises are also necessary for users to understand that we are prepared for any incident,” he stated.
Beyond these drills, the Bom Jesus Elevator undergoes daily maintenance by specialized personnel, along with periodic maintenance procedures, such as an annual cable inspection using a scanner.
Considered a living museum, the Bom Jesus Elevator is also a regular and daily means of passenger transport, requiring an annual inspection by the IMT to maintain its operating license. “This inspection is necessary and mandatory for the elevator to be authorized to transport passengers,” said Varico Pereira, noting that the number of users continues to grow. In 2024 alone, there were nearly 700,000 passengers.
Source: Correio do Minho
News link: Correio do Minho