Eight Buddhist monks were killed Thursday after an 11-year-old boy crashed a pickup truck into their pilgrimage walk in northeastern Thailand, officials said.
The crash happened in Mukdahan province, about 600 kilometers northeast of Bangkok.
A total of 35 monks were walking together when the truck hit the group.
Mukdahan Governor Worrayan Boonnarat said five monks died at the crash site.
Three more monks later died at a hospital. Fourteen others were hospitalized, including four in critical condition.
The group had started a 260 kilometer pilgrimage walk to Ubon Ratchathani province about 30 minutes before the collision.
Security footage shared by Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association showed the monks walking in a single line along the side of the road before the pickup truck struck them.
Police said surviving monks reported seeing the vehicle swerving before it slid off the road and hit the group.
Officials have not released the names of the monks killed.
Local police said the 11-year-old driver is in custody.
He is expected to be questioned when state child protection officers arrive.
Police said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not publicly announced any charges.
The crash has raised urgent questions about how a child was able to drive a pickup truck on a public road.
Road crashes remain a major global public health problem. The World Health Organization says about 1.19 million people die each year in road traffic crashes.
WHO also says road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults ages 5 to 29.
Monastic pilgrimage walks are part of Buddhist practice in Thailand, where monks are widely respected in community life.
What began as a religious journey ended in a deadly roadside disaster within minutes.
Investigators are now working to determine what led to the crash, while families, temples and local officials prepare to mourn the eight monks who died.