Eight monks have been killed after an 11-year-old boy crashed a pick-up truck into a pilgrimage group in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, with four survivors still in a critical condition in hospital.
The group of 35 monks from Mukdahan province — roughly 600 kilometres northeast of Bangkok — had set out on a 260-kilometre pilgrimage walk to Ubon Ratchathani province. They were only 30 minutes into their journey when the vehicle veered off the road and ploughed into them.
Deaths and Injuries
According to Mukdahan governor Worrayan Boonnarat , five monks died at the scene while three others later died in hospital. A further 14 monks were hospitalised , with four remaining in a critical condition.
Security camera footage from a local rescue group reportedly captured the monks walking single-file along the roadside in the moments before they were struck by the vehicle.
Cause Still Under Investigation
Authorities say the cause of the crash is still being investigated. The monks who witnessed the incident told officials they observed the vehicle losing balance and sliding off the road before it struck the group. There were also reports the truck had been seen swerving across the road prior to the collision.
No further details about the 11-year-old driver have been released at this stage, and it remains unclear what led to the loss of vehicle control. Authorities are continuing their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash.
