At least 70 people died in Myanmar… “Three-finger salute till you breathe”

The relatives of the protesters who died in the shooting of the Myanmar military are grieving. Reuters = Yonhap News

After the military coup in Myanmar, the number of citizens killed by hard-line crackdowns between the military and police continues to increase. In the meantime, the military is reinforcing repression by expanding the area of ​​martial law and blocking the internet on mobile phones.

According to Reuters news agency on the 15th (local time), at least six citizens who protested against the coup on the day were killed by shootings by the military. This is the number that has been counted so far, and the death toll could be higher, Reuters said. Three people died in Mingjan, central Myanmar, and two men were also found to have died in Magwe, another city, who were shot in the chest and head.

According to local foreign media, on the 14th, the previous day, the worst bloodshed occurred after the coup. Local media, Myanmar Now, collected hospital data and reported yesterday that at least 59 people died and 129 people were injured in Yangon one day. Including the deaths in other cities such as Mandalay, the number of deaths on that day is estimated to be over 70.

A photo of a citizen performing a’three-finger salute’ right before death after being shot. [트위터 캡쳐=연합뉴스]

As the number of casualties increases, the movement to commemorate the deceased protesters is growing, mainly on social media. A photo was posted on Twitter showing an injured citizen performing a’three-finger salute’ right before his death. In addition, there is a series of posts to commemorate and post pictures and identities of the deceased. It is estimated that the cumulative death toll since the coup started on the 1st of last month has exceeded 160.

In the midst of this, the military announced that it would expand the martial law area. In addition, martial law has been declared in four areas in Yangon, including North Dagon and South Dagon, and in some areas of Mandalay, the second city. The military also blocked the Internet of mobile phones in Myanmar. Local foreign media reported that it seems to be a measure to prevent sharing of bloodshed scenes on social media.

Reporter Kim Sun-mi [email protected]