Violent unrest erupted in Nepal after demonstrations spiraled into deadly clashes. Angry crowds set government buildings and politicians’ homes on fire, and even attacked several ministers.

According to Al-Jazeera on Wednesday (September 10, 2025), protesters torched government offices and residences of political figures. Eyewitnesses reported that demonstrators burned tires, hurled stones, and set several politicians’ houses ablaze.

Local media further reported that military helicopters were deployed to evacuate ministers from their besieged homes. Protesters also stormed the Prime Minister’s residence and burned the Singha Durbar government complex, which houses the Parliament building and several key ministries.

Footage circulating on social media showed former Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, his wife and current Foreign Minister Arzu Rana, as well as Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, being attacked by the mob. Videos reported by NDTV and Times of India showed Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel running on the streets as protesters chased him.

The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, expressed shock at the violence and urged dialogue. Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that the headquarters of Kantipur Media Group was also set on fire. RSF appealed to protesters not to target journalists.

Kathmandu Airport remained operational, though several flights were canceled due to reduced visibility caused by thick smoke from the fires, according to airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa.

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced his resignation following waves of protests against the social media ban, which left 19 people dead and more than 100 injured.

“Considering the difficult situation in the country, I am resigning effective today in order to facilitate the resolution of these issues and help achieve a political solution in line with the constitution,” Oli wrote in his letter to Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel on Tuesday (September 9).

The protests were sparked by Generation Z demonstrators who took to the streets after the government blocked platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, citing the companies’ unregistered status and lack of government oversight. The demonstrations soon expanded, reflecting growing discontent with the government. Young people in particular were angered by the privileged lifestyle of officials’ children, nicknamed “nepo kids,” who enjoyed luxury and advantages, while the majority of Nepalese youth struggled to find employment.