Hyderabad (PTI): At least 15 passengers were charred to death and many others injured when a fire broke out in a moving train in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh early this morning.

The fire erupted in S-9 coach of the Secunderabad-Kakinada Gouthami Express at 0115 hours near Kesamudram station in the district, about 250 km from Hyderabad, South Central Railway spokesman P Krishnaiah said.

Warangal district Superintendent of Police V C Sajjanar said 15 bodies have been found in the charred bogies and many more could be trapped inside. Krishnaiah earlier put the death toll at four.

The mishap occurred between Tallapusalapalli and Mehboobabad stations when the passengers were fast asleep.

The fire was first noticed in S-9 coach by a head constable of Railway Protection Force who pulled the chain to stop the train.

State Tribal Welfare Minister D S Redya Naik, who visited the spot to oversee rescue operations, said he saw a large number of skulls bones of charred bodies and death toll could be at least 12.

A pregnant woman, three physically challenged persons and two infants were among the dead. The injured were shifted to a government hospital in Warangal, about 75 kms from the spot.

"We expect more bodies may be trapped under the charred bogies," a police officer said.

The ill-fated train had left Secunderabad station at 9.15 pm on Thursday and the fire broke out soon after it crossed Kesamudram station.

The fire, apparently due to short circuit, erupted in S-9 coach and soon spread to four other coaches, Krishnaiah said.