A Japanese TV cameraman working for the Tokyo branch of Reuters news agency has been listed among the dead in violent clashes between anti-government protesters and national troops in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hiroyuki Muramoto, a 43-year old husband and father of two who had worked for Reuters as a cameraman for over 15 years, fell to a gunshot wound to the chest during rally violence on April 10th, the news agency reported.
Muramoto had left for Thailand on April 8th to cover the ongoing “Red Shirt” demonstrations against the current military-backed government, and was scheduled to return back on the 22nd, ANN News noted. The Associated Press stated that at least 20 people had been killed, including four soldiers, and well over 800 injured as fighting ensued.
Who, or even what side, killed Muramoto is currently unknown. One large potential clue, the fatal bullet, could not be found as it had exited through Muramoto’s back. Reuters reported that Thai soldiers had been using tear gas and guns with rubber bullets, and that the Thai government claims protesters were carrying guns and throwing gasoline bombs and grenades. Investigations in Muramoto’s death are said to be planned.
Reuters Editor-in-Chief David Schlesinger stated, “I am dreadfully saddened to have lost our colleague Hiro Muramoto in the Bangkok clashes. Journalism can be a terribly dangerous profession as those who try to tell the world the story thrust themselves in the center of the action. The entire Reuters family will mourn this tragedy."
Junpei Tachi of Reuters Public Relations Department in Tokyo echoed those words to Japanese press.
Sankei News added that Muramoto’s family, including wife, daughters and parents, along with three of Muramoto’s colleagues, are heading to Thailand, but have not given any comments to reporters yet due to the shock of their loss.
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