9 monks killed after pickup truck driven by 11-year-old hits pilgrimage group in Thailand

Nine Buddhist monks were killed and 13 others injured after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy ploughed into a group of monks during a pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, officials said.

The monks, from Mukdahan province, were walking to neighboring Ubon Ratchathani province as part of a 260-kilometre pilgrimage when the crash occurred about 30 minutes after they began their journey, reports AP.

According to provincial authorities, 35 monks were taking part in the pilgrimage. Five died at the scene, while four others succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.

Thirteen injured monks were admitted to hospital, with three reported to be in critical condition.

Security camera footage released by the Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association showed the monks walking in a single file along the roadside moments before the pickup truck veered off the road and struck them.

Police said the 11-year-old driver has been taken into custody and will be questioned in the presence of child protection officials.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary accounts from surviving monks indicated that the vehicle was swerving before leaving the roadway and hitting the group.