© Getty ImagesDemonstrators protest coup in Myanmar
At least nine people are dead after Myanmar's security forces opened fire on demonstrators on Wednesday as protests continue across the country over last month's military coup, Reuters reported, citing witnesses and local reports.
Wednesday's fatalities were scattered in cities and towns throughout the now-military-controlled nation, pushing the total deaths since Feb. 1 to at least 31, as Myanmar authorities crackdown on demonstrations against the coup.
The largest death toll was counted in the town of Monywa, where Ko Thit Sar, the editor of the Monywa Gazette, told Reuters that five people were killed.
"We've confirmed with family members and doctors, five people have been killed," he told the news wire.
"At least 30 people are wounded, some still unconscious," he added.
The Associated Press, citing the Democratic Voice of Burma, reported that three people were shot in Monywa, leading to two deaths.
Two people were also killed in Myanmar's second-biggest city Mandalay, Reuters and AP reported, citing witness accounts. In Myingyan, a teenaged boy was killed after police opened fire shortly following using tear gas and stun grenades, a protest leader told Reuters.
Another demonstrator was killed after authorities shot them in Yangon, where officials arrested about 300 protesters, according to Reuters and Myanmar Now News Agency.
The Myanmar military carried out the coup, taking country leader Aung San Suu Kyi into custody and declaring a state of emergency for a year. The takeover occurred after Suu Kyi's party had massive wins in last year's election, which the military has claimed resulted due to fraud. The country's election commission dismissed those claims.
Suu Kyi has since only been seen publicly in a court hearing this week as the military continues to charge her with various crimes.
The U.N. Security Council is slated to hold a closed meeting on Myanmar on Friday after the U.K. requested the meeting, council diplomats told the AP. The regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations called on Myanmar officials to practice restraint in their actions, but the countries did not reach an agreement to request the release of Suu Kyi.