AT LEAST five people were killed as an army truck barrelled into a peaceful anti-coup demonstration in Yangon, Myanmar, today.

Sunday’s march was one of at least three held in Yangon, and similar rallies were reported in other parts of the country a day ahead of an expected verdict in the first of about a dozen criminal cases against Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s elected leader who was overthrown by the army on February 1.

A video posted on social media shows the vehicle driving into the march from behind, and voices crying “The car is coming … help!” “It hit the children,” “dead!” and “Run, run!” 

“About five armed soldiers got out of the vehicle and chased after the protesters,” said a witness, who insisted on anonymity for fear of arrest.

“They opened fire and also arrested young people who had been hit by the car. At least 10 people were arrested.”