11-year-old boy runs over Buddhist pilgrims, leaving eight dead in tragedy
According to local police in Mukdahan province, Thailand, a tragedy shook the Buddhist community after an 11-year-old boy drove into a group of pilgrims, killing eight people and injuring more than twenty others.
According to information released by local authorities, the victims were part of a group made up of 34 Buddhist monks and five laypeople who were making a pilgrimage between temples in a neighboring province when they were struck by the pickup truck.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the child, who has special needs, took the vehicle belonging to his own family and drove approximately 9 to 10 kilometers before hitting the group of pilgrims.
Images captured after the accident show the pickup truck completely destroyed, evidencing the force of the impact. Emergency teams and passersby provided first aid to the victims while authorities cordoned off the area to begin the investigation.
Because a minor is involved, television broadcasters blurred images that could identify the boy, in accordance with the protection of the identity of children involved in incidents of this nature.
Police stated that the case remains under investigation and that, so far, no charges have been filed. The boy remains in a state of shock and has not yet been able to give a statement to investigators.
Authorities are now working to clarify how the child gained access to the vehicle and what factors contributed to the tragedy, which caused deep shock among worshippers and residents of the region.