Funeral procession of protester killed in Myanmar

Thousands of mourners in Mandalay applauded and gave defiant, three-fingered salutes as the hearse carrying the body of a university student, shot dead by police, made its way through the streets of Myanmar's second city, on Thursday.

Kyal Sin was struck in the head when police opened fire on a demonstration of teachers and students on Wednesday. She was pictured just before her death, crouching by a barricade, wearing a black T-shirt with the slogan "Everything will be OK". She was also known by her Chinese name Deng Jia Xi.

The black hearse that carried her remains had a photo of her on the windshield. It was preceded by a truck full of floral bouquets

Many thousands of people waited at the cemetery, with those in charge struggling to keep them back as the coffin was brought to the grave.

Wednesday's death toll was the highest since the February 1 takeover, when the military ousted the elected government of leader Aung San Suu Kyi. More than 50 civilians, mostly peaceful protesters, are confirmed to have been killed by police and soldiers since then.

The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, said 38 people were killed Wednesday, a figure consistent with other reports. Speaking to reporters at the U.N. in New York via video link from Bern, Switzerland, she said it had been "the bloodiest day" since the coup.