A CP train lost a carriage due to broken couplings while traveling between Lisbon and Faro on Monday, October 13.

The incident, first reported by Público, occurred between Grândola and the Caveira Canal. Although it caused no injuries, it was "potentially very dangerous."

The same newspaper reports that the Intercidades train left Oriente Station in Lisbon at 2:02 PM and was scheduled to arrive in Faro at 5:35 PM. However, at a certain point, the coupling connecting the two carriages broke, leaving one of the carriages disconnected from the rest of the train.

For safety reasons, the coupling failure caused a rupture in the general brake line, causing the train to stop immediately. In other words, both parts of the train stopped automatically, as should happen in such situations, regardless of the line's gradient.

The Algarve Intercidades train ended up stopped in the middle of the track, with one car abandoned a few metres from the rest of the train, and had to be rescued by a nearby Medway freight train. The CP train was eventually towed to Grândola station.

According to Público, the Aircraft and Railway Accident Prevention and Investigation Office (GPIAAF) has already opened a preliminary analysis to gather information about the incident, which is believed to have occurred due to "some maintenance failure."

Público also reveals that, currently, one in five Intercidades railcars is parked in workshops awaiting maintenance or repair.

According to the newspaper, the company is struggling with a shortage of specialised workers and is also facing a lack of funds to advance the work due to a lack of higher-level approval. Sometimes, the purchase of a simple part can take weeks to be authorised.