AT least 25 people were killed and 50 injured when a locomotive smashed through the buffer stop at Cairo’s main train station yesterday, causing an explosion and a fire, state television and witnesses said.

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.

Security sources said there was no indication that the crash was deliberate. The transport minister said the train’s diesel tank had exploded.

Eyewitness 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.”

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.

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 meters from the incident,” he said. “The scene was terrifying.”

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced from the station that the incident would be investigated and anyone found responsible will be held to account.  (SD-Agencies)