Reuters journalist killed in Bangkok street clashes

"I am dreadfully saddened to have lost our colleague Hiro Muramoto in the Bangkok clashes," said David Schlesinger, editor-in-chief.

"Journalism can be a terribly dangerous profession as those who try to tell the world the story thrust themselves in the centre of the action. The entire Reuters family will mourn this tragedy."

Tokyo-based Muramoto, 43, had been covering fighting between troops and protesters in the Rajdumnoen Road area where soldiers opened fire with rubber bullets and tear gas, as well as live rounds into the air, in Bangkok's worst political violence in 18 years.

He was shot in the chest and arrived at Klang Hospital without a pulse. The hospital's director, Dr Pichaya Nakwatchara, said the bullet had exited his back. 

An army spokesman said protesters were armed with guns and had been throwing petrol bombs and grenades at troops.

At least 521 people, including 64 soldiers and police, were wounded in the fighting near the Phan Fah bridge and Rajdumnoen Road in Bangkok's old quarter, a protest base near government buildings and the regional UN headquarters.

Four civilians and four soldiers were killed, deputy governor of Bangkok Malinee Sukavrejworakit said.

After the shooting all Reuters staff covering the violence were taken off the streets pending a reassessment of the situation on the ground.

Muramoto, pictured, had worked for Reuters in Tokyo for more than 15 years. He was married with two children. ■