Eight monks killed and 13 injured after being hit by truck 'driven by child'

Eight Buddhist monks have been killed and 13 others seriously injured after a pickup truck crashed into a walking pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand.

The incident occurred around noon local time on Thursday on a roadside in Ban Na Si Nuan in the Mueang district of Mukdahan province. Emergency services, police officers and paramedics rushed to the scene where monks were found lying on the road and roadside.

Five monks were pronounced dead at the scene whilst three others died at Mukdahan Hospital. The 13 injured monks were taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment of their injuries sustained in the crash.

Police investigations have found that the pickup truck was allegedly driven by a juvenile who took the vehicle without permission from a parent or guardian. Reports indicate the driver is understood to be an 11-year-old boy, though the driver's age has not been officially confirmed by the authorities. A suspect is now in custody as officers continue their investigations into what caused the tragedy.

The monks were part of a larger pilgrimage comprising a total of 34 monks travelling from Nam Khun district in Ubon Ratchathani to Don Tan district in Mukdahan. According to Thai Enquirer, the monks were travelling on foot to Don Tan district after lunch at Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom when the tragic incident occurred.

The scene was cordoned off by emergency services whilst evidence was gathered by police officers investigating the crash. Officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the incident as preliminary investigations continue into the fatal collision.