At least 20 killed in train station fire in Egypt's capital

Rescuers work at a fire site at a train station in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 27, 2019. At least 20 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded when a fire erupted inside the main train station in the city center of Egypt's capital Cairo on Wednesday, state-run Nile TV reported. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded when a fire erupted inside the main train station in the city center of Egypt's capital Cairo on Wednesday, state-run Nile TV reported.

The blaze broke out as a train crashed onto the pavement, the report said.

According to the advisor to the Egyptian transport minister, the train in Ramsis Station hit the concrete barriers at the end of the pavement.

Meanwhile, a security source told state-run Ahram news website that the heavy crash caused explosion of the fuel tank before the fire broke out.

"The explosion was horrible. I saw two men flying out of the train's windows with their bodies on fire," Ali Kamal, a passenger from the site told Xinhua.

It was difficult to rescue anyone, he added.

Dozens of ambulances and firefighters had rushed to the scene.

Eyewitnesses at a hospital said the corpses were completely burned.

Doctors told Xinhua that most of the wounded are of second or third degree of burn and in critical conditions.

The train movement to and from Cairo has been suspended.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly is following the repercussions of the incident with the transport minister, according to Nile TV.

Egypt top prosecutor ordered urgent investigations into the incident.

"The era of keeping silent on those making mistakes has ended," Madbouly said.

"No easiness in dealing with those responsible for the train blaze," he added.