Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured after a pickup truck allegedly driven by an 11-year-old boy crashed into a group of pilgrims in Thailand's northeastern Mukdahan province, authorities said on Thursday.
The victims were among a group of 34 Buddhist monks and five lay followers who were undertaking a religious pilgrimage from a temple in Mukdahan province to another in neighbouring Ubon Ratchathani province, according to Mukdahan Governor Vorayan Bunarat.
Five monks died at the scene, while three others later died from their injuries in hospital. Another 22 monks and one lay follower were injured in the incident, with four monks reported to be in critical condition.
According to Major General Pairoj Thaiphutra, chief of the Mukdahan Provincial Police, the pickup truck was allegedly being driven by an 11-year-old boy with special needs, who reportedly took the vehicle from his family home and drove nearly 10 kilometres before striking the group of pilgrims.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and that the circumstances leading to the crash are still being examined. No charges have been filed so far.
Authorities have also been unable to question the boy, stating that he remains in a state of shock and is currently not in a condition to provide a statement.
