1st LD: 20 dead, over 30 injured as truck hits pilgrims in Mexico

At least 20 people were killed and over 30 wounded on Thursday when a heavy truck crashed into a crowd of pilgrims in Mazapil municipality in the central state of Zacatecas, local media reported.

The exact number of casualties is unknown, as many of the injured have been taken to hospitals, Zocalo newspaper reported, quoting Jaime Santoyo Castro, secretary general of the administration.

Castro said the causes of the accident remained unclear, and it was not confirmed whether the driver had fled the scene or was among the dead or injured.

An official with the state's civil protection agency said the dump truck was left without brakes and struck the crowd, which was heading to the San Gregorio Magno church, a Catholic church in Mazapil

Some 200 people were reportedly taking part in a pilgrimage to the church since Sunday as part of a celebration for a patron saint when the accident happened in the late afternoon. Endit