Anantapur: At least 23 people, including two children, were charred to death when an AC coach of Nanded-Bangalore Express caught fire in the district early today.

The fire broke out at 3:30 AM at Kothacheravu railway station between Pennukonda and Dharmavaram stations.

“Rescue operations are underway. 23 persons including two children were charred to death in the accident,”, District Collector, Anantapur, Lokesh Kumar told reporters.

Senior Railway officials have rushed to the spot and relief and medical team have been pressed into service, the collector said.

Railway officials suspect that the incident occurred due to a short-circuit.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the fire accident.

He also spoke to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and inquired about the steps being taken for rescue and relief work at the accident site.

Describing the incident as “tragic” and “most unfortunate”, Kharge ordered an enquiry into the incident by Commissioner of Railway Safety.

The Railway Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries.

He has also asked senior railway officials such as Member Electrical and Director General Health to rush to the spot.

Chairman, Railway Board, Arunendra Kumar said the reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained.

However, prima facie there could be two reasons – one is short circuit and the other presence of inflammable material.

The magnitude of the accident suggests that short circuit was unlikely, he said.

Asked whether it could be inflammable material, he said it could be and the inquiry would go into it.

“We have asked for forensic experts from Bangalore and Hyderabad to examine the site,” he said.

The Railway Minister and the Railway Board Chairman are rushing to the site.

The affected coach has been detached and train has resumed its onward journey.