Cairo: A fight between two train conductors unleashed a speeding, unmanned train that slammed into a barrier and exploded in the Egyptian capital's main train station, killing at least 25 people, authorities say.

Railway officials said the single railcar collided head-on with the buffer stop, causing a huge explosion and fire.

At least 47 people were also injured, many of them critically.

Police guard the front of a damaged train inside Ramses train station in Cairo, Egypt. Credit:AP

The deadly blaze blasted through people on the platform in the busy Ramses Station in downtown Cairo.