More than 25 killed and 47 injured after 'speeding train crashes and explodes' at Cairo station

Chris Parsons

Dozens were killed and at least 47 left injured after a train crash caused a fuel tank explosion at Cairo’s main station.

Rescuers were battling to save casualties on Wednesday morning after the major fire, but the death toll from the accident is ‘likely to rise’.

The fire is said to have been triggered by an exploding fuel tank on a speeding train that was heading into Ramses station in the centre of Cairo.

Fire fighters and onlookers gather at the scene of the fiery train crash at the Egyptian capital Cairo’s main railway station. (MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images)
Fire fighters and onlookers gather at the scene of the fiery train crash at the Egyptian capital Cairo’s main railway station. (MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images)
Charred objects are scattered on the ground around Cairo’s main train station. (KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Charred objects are scattered on the ground around Cairo’s main train station. (KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)

The death toll stood at 25 by Wednesday afternoon, though Mohammed Said, the head of the Cairo Railway hospital, said the number of fatalities could rise further following the blaze.

The Ramsis district is among the busiest and most crowded areas of the Egyptian capital.

The state railway agency briefly halted all train traffic and ordered the evacuation of the station.

Videos from surveillance cameras inside the station showed flames ravaging the station.

Egypt’s prime minister has promised harsh punishment when responsibility is determined. (PA)
Egypt’s prime minister has promised harsh punishment when responsibility is determined. (PA)
Rescue workers assess the damage to the train after the crash in the Egyptian capital. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)
Rescue workers assess the damage to the train after the crash in the Egyptian capital. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Heavy black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky in Cairo in the aftermath of the crash.

Eyewitness Mina Ghaly said she saw ‘charred bodies’ on the ground after the horrific incident.

She told Reuters: ‘I was standing on the platform and I saw the train speed into the barrier.

Members of the security forces and onlookers gather at the scene of the crash. (MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images)
Members of the security forces and onlookers gather at the scene of the crash. (MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images)

‘Everyone started running but a lot of people died after the locomotive exploded.

‘I saw at least nine corpses lying on the ground, charred.’

Egypt’s railway authority has halted all arrivals into the station until further notice.’

People sit on a platform after a fire caused deaths and injuries at the main train station in Cairo. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)
People sit on a platform after a fire caused deaths and injuries at the main train station in Cairo. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

The daily Al-Ahram newspaper said the train crashed and the fuel tank exploded, causing the fire, but details have not yet been confirmed.

Egypt’s prime minister Mustafa Madbouli said authorities must determine “who caused the accident and hold that person accountable”.

He promised “harsh punishment” for the culprits.

Egypt’s transport minister later resigned following the crash and resulting fire.

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