The tourism industry had a big blow of confidence today in Egypt after a terror attack on a train station killed more than 28 people and more than 50 injured in a Cairo train fire, according to a source in Egypt’s Health Ministry.
The state TV reported that 20 people have been killed and 40 others wounded. The death toll could be much higher. According to other sources the death toll may be less.
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According to preliminary information, the train left the depot and was travelling at a high speed when it slammed into a covered platform. The collision caused a fiery explosion; the inferno spread to one of the buildings at Ramses Station.
A witness said there was a blast when a train rammed into a barrier at Ramses station.
People reportedly suffered carbon monoxide poisoning as they couldn’t leave the platform and the station during the panic.
Security officials have partially closed the entrances of the train station, according to Ahram Online news portal.
Ambulances and firefighters are at the scene.
The central train station in Cairo has been evacuated, the rail services near the station have been temporarily suspended.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly cut short a cabinet meeting to visit the site, while the prosecutor general ordered an investigation into the cause of the crash and the ensuing fire in the packed station.
Images posted on social media showed charred bodies at the busy station in the heart of the capital. Other photos posted online showed the charred platform and black smoke billowing from the station.