UN Human Rights Office: "At Least 18 Killed and 30 Injured in Military and Police Shootings"
On the 28th, the worst bloodshed since the military coup occurred nationwide, with at least 18 people losing their lives, including the first fatality in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The United Nations Human Rights Office announced on the 28th that at least 18 people have died and 30 were injured due to the use of force by Myanmar military and police against anti-coup protesters.
Local Myanmar media and foreign news agencies reported that one protester was shot dead by police in the afternoon, and the number of deaths increased as time passed.
In particular, the UN Human Rights Office stated, "According to collected information, at least 18 people have died and 30 were injured due to the use of force by police and military in various regions of Myanmar throughout the day."
Earlier, a UN official confirmed that at least five people died in Yangon on the same day.
A doctor who requested anonymity said that a man participating in an anti-coup protest in Yangon was shot in the chest and taken to the hospital but died. Additionally, Dawai area politician Cho Min Ti reported, "Three people died and several were injured due to police gunfire in Dawai." In Mandalay, it is known that three people died, including a woman who was shot in the head.
Although no official tally has been released, it is estimated that more citizens have died in several cities.
Myanmar citizens are calling this the worst bloodshed since the coup, referring to it as "Bloody Sunday," and are posting photos and videos of shot citizens on social media one after another. They are appealing to the international community for help, saying, "How many people must die before the UN takes action?" and "Innocent citizens are dying."
The Myanmar military seized power through a coup on the 1st, claiming that the civilian government did not investigate serious fraud in the general election held last November. As the coup marks one month, domestic and international pressure over the bloodshed is increasing, but the Myanmar military is escalating its response, causing more casualties.
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