At Least 25 Killed in Locomotive Crash, Fire at Egypt's Central Cairo Station

Policemen guard the accident site as investigators arrive to inspect the scene for clues on why the locomotive, which crashed at high speed, failed to stop. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Passengers take photos of the locomotive wreck. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Officials stand next to the burned wreckage of a locomotive after the crash at Cairo’s main railway station. The crash set off a massive explosion when the locomotive’s fuel tank exploded. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Passengers’ burned clothing and other belongings litter the platform after the crash, Feb. 27, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

The crash photos went viral on social media. Scenes of death and destruction at the railway station did not stop many from boarding trains in the capital in the hours after the crash, Feb. 27, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Cairo’s main train station is one of the busiest in North Africa and the Middle East. The Egyptian rail system carries millions of people every day and comes under frequent criticism for its safety record. Official reports say there were nearly 1,800 accidents in 2017 alone.  (H. Elrasam/VOA)

“It is heart breaking,” said Mohamed Abdullattif, a railway sleeping car attendant whose train pulled into the station shortly after the crash. “If I could, I would not ride the train ever (again), but it is my job.” (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Police clear the crash scene as officials arrive to investigate the cause, Feb. 27, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Cairo residents rushed to donate blood near the crash scene, Feb. 27, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Passengers gather at the accident scene after the crash, Feb. 27, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

As crews work to clear the soaked, charred wreckage, paramedics stand by for instructions after tending to victims. At least 25 died and dozens injured in the crash, Feb. 27, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)