11-year-old boy driving a truck crashes into Thai monks, killing 9 - BERITAJA

Nine Buddhist monks were killed, and much than 20 were injured, aft an 11-year-old boy driving a pickup motortruck collapsed into a group of them during a visit successful Thailand’s northeastern state of Mukdahan, Thai officials said connected Thursday.

The victims were among a group of 35 Buddhist monks and 5 followers who were connected their measurement from a temple ⁠in Mukdahan, about 600 kilometres northeast of the superior Bangkok, to different successful neighbouring Ubon Ratchathani province, Gov. Vorayan Bunarat said astatine a property conference, Reuters and The Associated Press reported.

Five victims died astatine the scene, while 4 much died astatine a infirmary aft succumbing to injuries, according to the governor. Another 22 monks, 4 of whom are successful captious condition, and 1 follower were besides injured.

The boy, who section authorities opportunity has typical needs, stole the motortruck from his family location and drove it about 10 km earlier hitting the group of monks, Maj.-⁠Gen. Pairoj Thaiphutra, the Mukdahan provincial constabulary chief, said Thursday. He added that nary charges had been revenge and that an investigation into the circumstances starring up to the incident was ongoing.

Thaiphutra added that officers had not yet questioned the boy because he was successful a authorities of daze and incapable to supply a statement. Later Thursday, it was reported by the AP that he is successful custody and would beryllium questioned nether the watch of kid protective services.

The group started the 260-kilometre locomotion to Ubon Ratchathani state about 30 minutes earlier the crash, according to the AP, which added that information camera footage posted by the Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association, a section rescue group, shows the monks stepping successful azygous record connected the broadside of a roadworthy earlier the motortruck hits them.

— This is simply a processing story; cheque backmost for updates.

— pinch files from The Associated Press and Reuters