Lucknow/New Delhi, Dec 4 (IANS): Five school children were Thursday killed in Mau district of Uttar Pradesh when a passenger train smashed into their van at an unmanned railway crossing. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu blamed "negligent driving" for the tragedy.

The accident took place near Khutahar village when the Tamsa passenger train rammed into the school van which was carrying around 25 children.

Twenty children were injured and eight of them, who were in serious condition, were rushed to Varanasi for treatment.

Officials said the driver of the school van was listening to songs on his earphone and, therefore, could not hear the approaching train.

The school van was totally wrecked in the accident.

Angry parents squatted at the railway crossing for nearly an hour, demanding action against the culprits.

In New Delhi, Railway Minister Prabhu blamed the school van-driver for the accident.

In a statement in the Lok Sabha, Prabhu said "negligent driving" was to be blamed for the accident.

The minister said there was also poor visibility due to morning fog.

He said a compensation of Rs.2 lakh would be given to the families of each of the deceased, Rs.1 lakh to those grievously injured and Rs.20,000 to those with minor injuries.

Prabhu said the government was trying to find ways to prevent such accidents.