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Footage circulating on social media from a security camera inside Ramses station showed the train failing to stop as it arrived at platform six, smashing through the buffers and a metal end railing as passengers carrying luggage walked by. Footage from a second camera showed people running from the explosion, some with their clothes on fire. Security sources said there was no indication that the crash was deliberate.

The transport minister said the train's diesel tank had exploded

escue workers and people are seen after a fire caused deaths and injuries at the train station

The transport minister said the train's diesel tank had exploded. Witness Ibrahim Hussein said: "I saw a man pointing from the locomotive as it entered the platform, and screaming 'There are no brakes! There are no brakes!', before he jumped out of the locomotive. And I don't know what happened to him." The fire sent smoke billowing above the station. Inside, the train's charred engine could be seen tilted to one side next to a platform.

25 people were killed in the accident at Cairo's main train station

Bystander Mina Ghaly added: "I was standing on the platform and I saw the train speed into the barrier ... Everyone started running but a lot of people died after the locomotive exploded. "I saw at least nine corpses lying on the ground, charred." Ahmed Abdeltawab said the platform had been crowded with people waiting for another train.

"The fire overwhelmed them and they ran while they were on fire until they fell yards from the incident," he said. "The scene was terrifying."

Egyptian PM said the incident would be investigated

Prime Minister Mostafa 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. A train collision in Alexandria killed more than 40 people in 2017. Egyptians have long complained that successive governments have failed to enforce basic safety standards for the railways.

Egypt has one of the oldest and largest rail networks in the region and accidents are coommon

A member of security forces enters the station after the incident