Eight Buddhist monks were killed and 13 others seriously injured after a pickup truck ploughed into a group of monks during a walking pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand's Mukdahan province on Thursday, police said.
The crash occurred around noon on a roadside in Ban Na Si Nuan village in Mueang district. Rescue workers, police and emergency responders rushed to the scene, where several monks were found lying on the road and nearby roadside.
Five monks were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The 13 injured monks were taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Preliminary police investigations found that the pickup truck was being driven by a juvenile, who allegedly took the vehicle without permission from a parent or guardian before crashing into the procession.
Authorities have secured the area and launched an investigation. Police are collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
