‘Pilgrim boat’ capsizes in Thailand, leaving several dead

More than 100 people were on board at the time of the accident

A boat has capsized after hitting a bridge in the central Thai city of Ayutthaya, killing at least seven including a child, local media say.

The two-deck boat was travelling the Chao Phraya river at 04:00 local time (21:00 GMT) when the crash happened.

It is said to have been carrying more than 100 people, and the number of casualties and missing could rise.

The accident occurred near the Wat Sanam Chai temple, a popular tourist destination.

Passengers were travelling from Nonthaburi, a suburb of the capital Bangkok, to Ayutthaya for an Islamic religious rite, the Bangkok Post said.

BBC