At least 25 killed in deadly train fire in Cairo

At least 25 people were killed and 50 injured when a locomotive smashed into a barrier at Cairo’s main train station on Wednesday, causing an explosion and a fire, state television reports.

The fire sent black smoke billowing above Ramses station in the centre of the Egyptian capital. Inside the station, the train’s blackened engine could be seen tilted to one side next to a platform.

The train's fuel tank reportedly exploded after the crash, setting a platform and nearby buildings alight.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli visited the scene and said the cause of the collision was not yet known.

Security sources said there was no indication that the crash was deliberate.

Photos and videos posted on social media appeared to show the train and the platform it hit engulfed by fire, as well as people rushing to help the casualties.

Several witnesses said they had seen fire coming out of the train’s engine before it crashed, causing an explosion and fires inside the station.

Madbouly announced from the station that the incident would be investigated and anyone found responsible held to account.

Egypt has one of the oldest and largest rail networks in the region and accidents causing casualties have been common.

Egyptians have long complained that successive governments have failed to enforce basic safety standards for the railways.

The transport ministry suspended all train arrivals and departures at the station.

In August 2017, 43 people were killed and more than 100 injured when two passenger trains collided outside the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

The country's deadliest rail accident occurred near Cairo in 2002, when a fire ripped through an overcrowded passenger train, killing more than 370 people.