AFP

US President Joe Biden on Sunday decried the bloodshed unleashed against anti-coup protesters in Myanmar as "absolutely outrageous," after security forces killed more than 100 people including at least seven children.

On Saturday, at least 107 people were killed across Myanmar as security forces opened fire on protesters.

"It's terrible," Biden told reporters in brief remarks he gave in his home state of Delaware.

"It's absolutely outrageous and based on the reporting I've gotten, an awful lot of people have been killed totally unnecessarily."

The European Union described the deadly violence as "unacceptable".

"Far from celebrating, the Myanmar military has made yesterday a day of horror and of shame," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.

The condemnation came after the defence chiefs of 12 countries including the United States, Britain, Japan and Australia denounced the Myanmar military.

"A professional military follows international standards for conduct and is responsible for protecting -- not harming -- the people it serves," the rare joint statement said.

"We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions."

According to a local monitoring group, the death toll from crackdowns since the coup has climbed to at least 423.

Military-run broadcaster Myawaddy TV reported Saturday's death toll was 45, noting 552 people had been arrested and claimed it was an unavoidable crackdown because protesters used real guns and bombs against security forces.

AFP