Patna, Sep 27 (IANS): The railways took responsibility for the train-bus collision that killed eight people in Bihar, Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa said here Thursday, a day after the tragedy.

"The accident which took place Wednesday was a sad incident and the railways is taking responsibility," Muniyappa told journalists here.

Muniyappa, who arrived here Wednesday night to meet the injured in the Patna Medical College and Hospital, said an inquiry had been ordered.

"It was unfortunate. The accident had taken place at a manned railway crossing," he said.

Eight people, including two girls, were killed and dozens injured Wednesday when a train rammed into an engineering college bus at a manned level crossing in Siwan district.

The accident occurred at Chap Dhala railway crossing near Siwan railway station when the Howrah-Gorakhpur Bagh Express train rammed into the bus carrying over 25 students. The engine of the train derailed after the accident.

The incident sparked protests as hundreds of local residents torched several bogies of the train and damaged railway property.