An 11-year-old boy allegedly driving a pickup truck crashed into a group of Buddhist monks during a pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand, killing 10 monks and injuring more than 20 others, authorities said.
The accident occurred on Thursday in Thailand’s Mukdahan province, around 600 kilometres northeast of Bangkok. Officials said a total of 35 monks were taking part in a 260-kilometre pilgrimage to Ubon Ratchathani province when the vehicle struck them.
According to provincial authorities, five monks died at the scene, while five others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. More than 10 injured monks remain hospitalized, with one reported to be in critical condition.
The monks had begun their journey about 30 minutes before the collision. Security camera footage shared by a local rescue organisation showed the group walking in a single file along the roadside moments before the pickup truck veered off the road and crashed into them.
Police have taken the 11-year-old driver into custody while investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities said the child’s parents could face negligence charges for allowing the minor to operate the vehicle.
Investigators are examining the cause of the accident. Initial statements from surviving monks indicated that the pickup truck appeared to be swerving before leaving the roadway and ploughing into the group.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene to provide medical assistance and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Personal belongings belonging to the monks were scattered along the roadside following the impact.
The tragedy has shocked communities across Thailand, where Buddhist monks are widely respected and religious pilgrimages are a long-standing tradition. Authorities have not yet confirmed why the child was driving the pickup truck or whether mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the crash.
Police said a full investigation is underway to establish the exact cause of the incident and determine whether further legal action will be taken against those responsible.