9 Buddhist monks killed after 11-year-old crashes pickup into procession in Thailand

International

NINE Buddhist monks were killed and several others were injured after an 11-year-old boy driving his parents' pickup truck crashed into a religious procession during a pilgrimage in Mukdahan province in northeastern Thailand, police said.

The procession, which included 35 monks and five lay followers, was walking along a road when the pickup struck them.

Five monks died at the scene, while four others later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, according to police per a report by BBC.

Health authorities said three monks remain in critical condition, at least five others sustained serious injuries, and several more are receiving treatment for less serious injuries.

Mukdahan Hospital has appealed for urgent blood donations to help treat the injured.

Police said the boy took his parents' pickup truck without permission before losing control of the vehicle. The pickup has been taken for forensic examination as investigators work to determine the cause of the crash.

"The suspect is a child. The vehicle has been taken for forensic examination to determine the cause," Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa said.

Thaiphutsa later told BBC Thai that the boy remains under the care of officials, together with his guardians and doctor.

He added that preliminary information indicates the child has special needs, although no further details have been released.

Police are also determining the appropriate legal process due to the suspect's age.(Jhenevive Etang, PIT Comm Intern)