Myanmar security forces kill at least 34 protesters

Anti-coup protesters in Yangon in Myanmar (AP)

Security forces in Myanmar dramatically escalated their crackdown on demonstrations against last month’s coup, killing at least 34 protesters in several cities on Wednesday, according to accounts on social media and local news reports.

This is the highest daily death toll since the February 1 takeover, exceeding the 18 that the UN Human Rights Office said were killed on Sunday, and could galvanise the international community, which has responded fitfully thus far to the violence.