Myanmar military regime's toll continues to grow: 'Shooting stars' on its bloodiest day, including volunteer COVID-19 pandemic nurses

Myanmar's "bloodiest" day since the military seized power has grieved many in the country.

 More than 100 people were killed by security forces on Saturday, including children.  Some were killed in rallies, and others in their own homes.

 Opponents of the February 1 coup called those killed "shooting stars".

 Among the "shooting stars" was a 40 year old man named Aye Ko.

 

 The father of four lives in the city of Mandalay and is a member of the siskamling.  According to local residents, he sells coconut snacks and rice jelly drinks on a daily basis.

 Reports say he was shot and wounded when soldiers raided the area.  They then dragged him to a pile of burning car tires, which the protesters set up as a barricade.

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 "He was screaming, 'Mother, help me," a local resident told the Myanmar Now news website.

 His loved ones hold ceremonies on Sundays to commemorate his life.  A relative described his death as a "great loss."

 "He is the only backbone of the family," the relative told AFP.

 Meanwhile elsewhere in Mandalay, people mourn the death of an 18-year-old man named Aung Zin Phyo.

 Aung Zin Phyo is part of Myanmar's Covid-19 response.

 He was a goalkeeper at Lin Latt's Futsal Club and volunteered at an intensive care center during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Reuters news agency.

 His family told reporters he was at the front lines of protesters when he was shot dead by security forces last Saturday.

 "I only have this son ... I just want to die so I can be with my son," said his mother, sobbing beside her coffin.

 Children were among those who died.

 Aye Myat Thu, 11 years old, lies in a coffin with toys, flowers and a picture of Hello Kitty.  Local media said the girl was shot dead when authorities were blocking a demonstration in the town of Mawlamyine.

 

 Toys, flowers and pictures in Aye Myat Thu's coffin.

 In the town of Miktila, Pan Ei Phyu's mother, 14, told BBC Burmese the girl was rushing to close all doors when she heard soldiers coming onto the street in front of her house.  But he's not fast enough.

 "I saw him fall and at first thought he just slipped and fell. But then blood came out of his chest," he said.

 In Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, 13-year-old Sai Wai Yan was playing outside when he was shot and killed, according to various reports.  The boy's family mourned beside his coffin last Sunday.

 "How can I live without you, son?"  his mother was crying.

 The funeral for Sai Wai Yan was held last Sunday.

 Also in Yangon, residents said Hti San Wan Phi, 19, was killed when a bullet hit his cheek while he was in the protesters' line of defense.

 His neighbors described him as someone with a big smile, according to Reuters.  His parents asked his friends not to cry, saying "my son is a martyr".

 Violence continued in the country on Sunday.

 Reports say female activist Ma Ah Khu, 37, was shot in the chest in the city of Kale.  She is the director of the NGO Women for Justice.

 The Women's League of Burma described Ma Ah Khu as "a woman with a dedicated soul and a hopeful mind".

 "We respect his courage, commitment and struggle," said the organization.