pickup truck in north-east Thailand, police said. The group of 35 monks and five lay followers were walking along a road in Mukdahan province during a pilgrimage when the incident occurred.

Footage posted online shows saffron robes and belongings scattered by the roadside, and a wrecked vehicle. Five of the monks died at the scene and four others later in hospital, according to police. They said the boy took the pickup without permission before losing control and crashing into the monks, according to Agence France-Presse. Police Major General Pairoj Thaiphutsa said they were still determining the legal process for the boy going forward.

"The suspect is a child. The vehicle has been taken for forensic examination to determine the cause," he said. Later, Thaiputsa told BBC Thai the boy was still being cared for by a team of officials, including his guardians and his doctor.  Preliminary information indicates that he is a child with special needs, but no further details are available yet, Thaiputsa said. Mukdahan Hospital has appealed for urgent blood donations to help the injured monks. Three monks remain in a critical condition and at least five others were seriously hurt. More are being treated for lighter injuries, health authorities said. Phra Sompong, who was a monk in the group, said he was chanting the meditation mantra "Buddho, Buddho" before the crash happened. (BBC)