Myanmar security forces shot and killed at least six people on Wednesday, according to accounts on social media and local news reports, as authorities extend their lethal crackdown on protests against last month's coup.
Multiple reports from several cities and towns, difficult to independently confirm, said police used live ammunition as well as tear gas and rubber bullets to violently disperse protesters.
In Myingyan in central Myanmar, multiple social media posts reported the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy. A second death was reported later.
At least four other deaths were reported elsewhere.
Demonstrators have regularly flooded the streets of cities across the country since the military seized power on Feb. 1 and ousted the elected government of leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Their numbers have remained high even as security forces have repeatedly fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds to disperse the crowds, and arrested protesters en masse.
On Sunday, the U.N. Human Rights Office said it believed at least 18 people were killed that day.
The escalation of violence has led to increased diplomatic efforts to resolve Myanmar's political crisis.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to hold a closed meeting on the situation on Friday, council diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement.
