At least 8 monks in Thailand die after truck driven by boy, 11, crashes into them

At least eight Buddhist monks were killed, with about 10 injured, seven of them critically, after a pickup truck crashed into a religious procession on Jul. 2, reported Thairath Online.

The latest figures were provided by Thai police.

The incident occurred at around 12pm on a roadside in the Mueang district, according to Khaosod English.

Thairath Online reported that the victims were among 35 monks on a walking pilgrimage in Thailand's Mukdahan province.

Allegedly drove without permission

Local police said that an 11-year-old boy allegedly took his parents' pickup truck without permission before losing control of the vehicle, ploughing into the procession.

Breaking: A car has crashed into a group of 30 Buddhist monks while they were on a pilgrimage walk.

The incident occurred on Na Si Nuan Road in Don Tan District.

Preliminary reports indicate:

Five monks have died.

Two monks are in critical condition.

Several others were… pic.twitter.com/9z2d0MpyCD

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Monks were seen lying across the road and roadside.

According to Khaosod English, five monks were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others later died in the hospital.

Emergency personnel transported the other injured monks to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment.

Police have since detained the boy to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Investigations are currently ongoing.