10 Buddhist monks killed when 11-year-old crashes pickup truck in Thailand

Ten Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others were injured in northeastern Thailand when a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy struck the group walking along a road during a pilgrimage, according to local officials.

The crash happened on Route 2034 in Mukdahan province, near the border with Laos, as dozens of monks and several laypeople were traveling on foot from a temple in Mukdahan toward Ubon Ratchathani province, according to provincial officials.

Officials initially said eight monks had died, including five at the scene and three at a hospital, but local health officials later said the death toll had risen to 10.

The group included 34 monks and five laypeople, Mukdahan Governor Worayan Bunnarat said at a press conference. Rescue workers and emergency medical teams reached the scene and took the injured to a local hospital.

Officials said most of the injured suffered broken bones, while some had brain injuries. Four were listed as critically injured and 10 others had moderate injuries.

Footage of the crash showed the pickup truck traveling at high speed before running into the group as the monks walked along the side of the road.

The boy was driving his parents’ truck and reportedly lost control before hitting the group, according to BBC News.

Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa told the BBC that the child has special needs. Officials did not immediately say why the boy was driving.