Reuters journalist killed in Bangkok

SEAPA Alert

Reuters journalist killed, freelance photographer hurt in clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in Bangkok

A Japanese journalist working for Reuters was killed while a freelance photographer was injured when Red Shirt protesters and police-military units battled in Bangkok on 10 April 2010, media
reports said.

Reuters said its TV cameraman, Hiro Muramoto, 43 years old, died from a bullet wound in the chest. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Klang Hospital in Bangkok.

"The Nation" quoted Central Hospital director Dr. Pitchaya Nakwatcharaya that freelance photographer for ABC news, Winnai Ditthajorn, was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound in his left leg.

The "Bangkok Post" said the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) has reported that as of the morning of 11 April 2010, 19 people died while 825 were injured. Four of the dead were soldiers. The wounded were sent to several hospitals in the capital.

Muramoto was covering the dispersal operations by security forces at Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue near the Red Shirts' protest camp at Phan Fah bridge when he was shot.

Several clashes in Bangkok's old quarter, where the protesters had set up base five weeks ago, started in the early afternoon of 10 April as security forces began dispersing the Red Shirts.

According to "The Nation", Center for Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd accused the protesters of attacking the soldiers with grenades and petrol bombs.

Red Shirts leaders, on the other hand, presented guns and military gear allegedly captured from the soldiers.

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