At least eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 injured when a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old child struck a religious pilgrimage procession in Thailand’s northeastern Mukdahan province, police and health officials said on Thursday.
Thirty-five monks and five lay followers were walking along the roadside as part of a religious pilgrimage when the accident occurred.
Eyewitness monk Phra Sompong said he had seen a pickup truck heading toward them. “I was chanting ‘Buddho, Buddho’ when suddenly the truck came at high speed and drove into the procession. I and another monk managed to jump out of the way in time. Some of those at the front survived, but many at the back were struck forcefully and thrown,” he said.
Five monks died at the scene and three more died while being treated in hospital, police said.
A preliminary investigation found the pickup was being driven by an 11-year-old child who had taken their parents’ vehicle. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report