Police in Myanmar have fired tear gas, water cannon and stun grenades at pro-democracy protestors, killing at least 18 people dead, the UN has said.
The UN’s human rights office said it has received “credible information” that the crackdown on people demonstrating against a military coup included live ammunition being fired into crowds, resulting in the deaths and dozens of injured people.
It is the highest single-day death toll among protesters, who demand the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi and her elected government.
“We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters,” UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said.