Truck Driven by Child Kills Eight Monks in Thailand

Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 other people were injured when a pickup truck struck them during a religious pilgrimage in Mukdahan Province, northeastern Thailand. Provincial authorities said in statements released Thursday that the vehicle was being driven by an 11-year-old boy with special needs.

The group, comprising 34 monks and five laypeople, was traveling from a temple in Mukdahan Province to the neighboring province of Ubon Ratchathani. Five monks died at the scene, and three others died later in hospital from severe injuries.

Among the injured are 22 other monks and one layperson. Four of them remain in critical condition.

Provincial Police Chief Pairoj Thaiphutra confirmed that the boy had taken the vehicle from his family home without his parents' knowledge and driven approximately 10 km before hitting the pilgrims. Police have not filed any charges and have not yet been able to question the boy, who remains in shock.

(Reuters, Max)