Ten Buddhist monks were killed and several others injured in a tragic accident in northeastern Thailand, Thai police reported on Thursday.
The incident occurred when an 11-year-old boy, driving his parents' vehicle, crashed into a group of 35 Buddhist monks and five followers approximately 600 km northeast of the capital Bangkok.
The group was on the way from a temple in Mukdahan to another one in Ubon Ratchathani province when the incident occurred, according to Gov. Vorayan Bunarat.
Four monks died at the scene, and five more died at a hospital, while 22 additional monks and one follower were injured, with four of the monks in critical condition.
The boy stole the truck from the family home and drove it 10 km before hitting the procession, Maj.-Gen. Pairoj Thaiphutra, the Mukdahan provincial police chief, reported.
No charges have been filed, and the investigation is focusing on the events leading up to the incident, with local authorities stating that the boy has special needs.
The boy has not yet been questioned because he was in a state of shock and unable to provide a statement, and he is currently in custody with protective services monitoring him for a follow-up interview.
The group of monks and their followers had just started their 260-km walk to the temple in Ubon Ratchathani province about 30 minutes before the incident occurred.
Police said the monks witnessed the vehicle swerving before leaving the road and crashing into the group, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
