At least eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured when a pickup truck driven by a child rammed into a religious procession in Thailand’s northeastern Mukdahan province. Police and health officials said the incident occurred as 35 monks and five lay followers were walking along a roadside as part of a pilgrimage.

A witness, monk Phra Sompong, said he saw the pickup approaching while chanting and managed to jump aside with another monk. However, several others were struck as the vehicle sped into the group. Police confirmed that five monks died at the scene, while three more succumbed to injuries in hospital.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the pickup was being driven by an 11-year-old boy who had taken his parents’ vehicle without permission. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.