Eight monks killed, dozens injured in Thai pilgrimage crash

Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than a dozen others injured after a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy crashed into their pilgrimage procession in northeastern Thailand on Thursday. The incident occurred in the Mueang district of Mukdahan province.

A group of approximately 35 monks from Mukdahan was walking in a single file along the side of a road, having begun a 260-kilometer pilgrimage to Ubon Ratchathani province about 30 minutes earlier. According to officials, the boy had taken his parents' vehicle without permission. Security camera footage shows the truck swerving off the road and striking the line of monks.

Five monks died at the scene, and three others succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. At least 14 others were hospitalized, with four reported in critical condition. One monk who survived described hearing the vehicle approach while he was chanting a meditation mantra before it hit the group at full speed. He and another monk managed to jump out of the way, but others were thrown into the air.

The boy is now in police custody and will be questioned when state child protection officers arrive, authorities said. Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa,...