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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Egypt Transport Minister Resigns after Train Crash Leaves Dozens of Casualties

Rescue workers and people are seen after a fire caused deaths and injuries at the main train station in Cairo, Egypt, February 27, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

At least 25 people were killed and 50 injured on Wednesday when a major fire broke out after a speeding railcar crashed into a barrier at Cairo's main train station, causing its fuel tank to explode.

Following the incident at Ramses station in the center of the Egyptian capital, Transport Minister Hisham Arafat resigned, a cabinet statement said.

Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli accepted the resignation, the statement added.

Earlier, Madbouli said authorities must determine "who caused the accident and hold that person accountable." He promised "harsh punishment" for the culprits.

The fire sent black smoke billowing above Ramses station. Inside, the train's blackened engine could be seen tilted to one side next to a platform.

Videos from surveillance cameras showed flames ravaging the station. A video that surfaced on social media showed men and women carrying bags and personal belonging and walking on the rail platforms as the train car crashed and exploded.

Another video showed men and women running, searching for exits after the explosion. A man runs back and forth, his shirt on fire, until another man rushes to pour water on him.

"I was standing on the platform and I saw the train speed into the barrier," eyewitness Mina Ghaly told Reuters.

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

"I saw at least nine corpses lying on the ground, charred," Ghaly added.

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

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