At least two dead as police and soldiers attack protesters at Mandalay shipyard

At least two people were killed and 20 were injured as police and soldiers used live ammunition while attacking peaceful protesters in Mandalay on Saturday afternoon. 

Hundreds rallied at the Yadanarbon shipyard to support workers from the Inland Water Transport Department who were facing pressure from authorities to return to work. 

They are on strike as part of a mass civil disobedience campaign aimed at toppling Min Aung Hlaing’s dictatorship. 

After a standoff between protesters and police, about 20 trucks filled with soldiers and police, along with two water cannon trucks, arrived to break up the crowd.

Police and soldiers fired about 50 rounds into the air and have so far arrested at least 10 people, according to Myanmar Now reporters who witnessed the attack. 

Authorities blocked off the street where the crackdown happened and many, including our reporters, were unable to leave the scene for several hours. 

By around 5.30pm the crowd had dispersed and police and soldiers were no longer at the scene. 

This is a developing story and we will update it when we have more information.