BBC News reporter Aung Thura taken by unidentified men in Myanmar

Broadcaster calls on authorities to confirm missing journalist is safe

BBC journalist Aung Thura has gone missing in Myanmar. BBC News PR/Twitter

A BBC News reporter is missing after being "taken away by unidentified men" while working in protest-hit Myanmar on Friday.

The broadcaster said Aung Thura was taken by the men in the capital, Naypyitaw at about noon local time.

"We are extremely concerned about our reporter, Aung Thura, who was taken away by unidentified men," the BBC said.

"The BBC takes the safety of all its staff in Myanmar very seriously and we are doing everything we can to find Aung Thura.

"We call on authorities to help locate him and ensure he is safe. Aung Thura is an accredited BBC journalist with many years of reporting experience covering events in Naypyitaw."

Aung Thura's disappearance comes with many journalists detained by the military in Myanmar recently over their reporting of the coup on February 1.

Much of the country has been in uproar since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi last month, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to demand a return to democracy.

Police and soldiers used tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds to subdue crowds in near-daily crackdowns, along with blanket nightly internet shutdowns to stop protesters from mobilising.

More than 200 people have been killed since Ms Suu Kyi was overthrown.

On Friday security forces opened fire in the central town of Aungban, killing eight people, the Myanmar Now news service said.

On Monday, at least 20 died after violence by security forces in several cities, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a local monitoring group that tracks arrests and fatalities.

It followed the deadliest day so far in the six weeks since the army deposed Ms Suu Kyi's government, with the AAPP reporting 74 killed on Sunday after the violent suppression of anti-coup unrest across Myanmar.