The key facts

  • The building of Albania's education ministry caught fire on the second day of student protests in Tirana; according to Reuters citing a witness, the fire also engulfed a nearby bank.
  • Police reported around 40 detained and 13 injured people on Wednesday morning, including six police officers; the riots continued after these figures were published.
  • Deputy Prime Minister of Albania Albana Koçiu called the events

Fire and clashes in Tirana

The building of Albania's education ministry caught fire on Wednesday, the second day of student protests in the capital. According to Reuters citing a witness, the fire also engulfed a bank near the ministry. Thousands of demonstrators, many of whom covered their faces, gathered in front of the building: some threw bricks at it, damaged sidewalk fences and overturned garbage bins. Police deployed special units and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in different parts of Tirana.

Detained and injured

The action began on Tuesday with a peaceful gathering of several hundred people outside the education ministry, but quickly escalated and in places turned violent. Early on Wednesday morning, police reported around 40 detained and 13 injured people, including six police officers; the riots continued after these figures were published.

Reaction of the authorities

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu posted a video of the protests on Facebook, calling what was happening

Demands and context

Organizers say the protests are connected with conditions at universities, the cost of higher education, financial support for students and employment prospects after graduation. More broadly, Albania this year has experienced a series of demonstrations sometimes called the

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