MUKDAHAN — Eight Buddhist monks were killed and 13 others seriously injured after a pickup truck crashed into a group of monks on a walking pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand’s Mukdahan province on Thursday, police said.
The crash occurred at about 12:00 on a roadside in Ban Na Si Nuan, Mueang district. Rescue workers, police and emergency responders rushed to the scene, where monks were found lying on the road and roadside. Five monks were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others later died in hospital. Thirteen injured monks were taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Preliminary police investigations found that the pickup truck was being driven by a juvenile, who allegedly took the vehicle without permission from a parent or guardian before crashing into the procession of monks. Authorities secured the scene and are gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and investigating the cause of the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
