At least 16 people were killed and 21 others wounded after a multi-vehicle crash and the ensuing explosion on Monday in central Cairo, Egypt's Health Ministry said in a statement.

A picture taken early morning on August 5, 2019 shows people surrounding a burned car after an accident that caused an explosion leaving 16 dead and 21 injured in downtown Cairo. [File Photo: AFP via VCG/Aly Fahim]

The car slammed into three vehicles traveling in the opposition direction, which led to an explosion, said the ministry.

Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that the fire was high and fragments of the destroyed cars were scattered across the roads.

TV footage showed the windows of a nearby building were smashed.

The ministry said that the injured were taken to three different hospitals, where they were being treated for wounds and burns.