Tirana protests turn violent, 23 injured as ministries set alight
Clashes between police and protesters in Tirana left 23 people injured, including one hit in the eye by a rubber bullet, as demonstrators set fire to government buildings on Saturday.
Clashes between police and anti-government protesters in Tirana left 23 people injured on Saturday, Albania's health ministry said, as demonstrators set fire to the entrances of the agriculture and environment ministries.
Among those hurt was a 28-year-old protester struck in the eye by a rubber bullet, who underwent emergency surgery and was later flown to Italy for further treatment, Albanian media reported.
The health ministry said 16 of the injured were treated at the University Hospital of Trauma, including 12 protesters, 2 police officers and 2 journalists; a lawmaker and 4 others were treated at other facilities, including the University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa". All of those treated at the second facility were later discharged after receiving care, officials said.
Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds gathered at Skanderbeg Square, after protesters threw stones, firecrackers and petrol bombs, according to multiple Albanian outlets. Dustbins and barricades were set alight in several parts of the capital, and officers were also deployed around the Socialist Party headquarters and a nearby theatre.
A separate, related gathering of students and opposition supporters took place outside Albania's education ministry the same day, where protesters set fire to rubbish bins and broke paving stones, while police made limited use of chemical irritants to clear the area, according to ERT News.
The unrest followed nearly two weeks of student-led protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama's government, which have been joined by professional groups and the opposition Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha. More than 2,500 police officers were deployed in Tirana, and officers who served on the front line of the unrest were promised a special allowance by the prime minister.
Students have said they want both Rama and Berisha to step down and have distanced themselves from the opposition's involvement in the protests, insisting their movement carries no party affiliation.
On the 13th day of the protests, the health ministry reported 4 more people injured, while the protester hurt in the eye remained hospitalised, Albanian media reported.
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What we know
- 1 outlet 23 people were injured in Tirana on Saturday, including protesters, police and journalists, the health ministry said.
- 1 outlet A 28-year-old protester was hit in the eye by a rubber bullet and later flown to Italy for treatment.
- 1 outlet Protesters set fire to the entrances of the agriculture and environment ministries.
- 1 outlet More than 2,500 police officers were deployed.
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Figure history
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Why it matters for Europe
The unrest in Tirana is part of a wider wave of street protests across several European cities this month over living costs and social grievances, with Albania's demonstrations entering their third week and showing no sign of abating.
Sources
Reported by 50 reports from 25 independent outlets in 12 countries.
- Gazeta Express: Trazirat e mundshme në protestë, policia në Tiranë angazhon 2000 efektivë në terren
- Indeksonline: Trazirat e mundshme në protestë, policia në Tiranë angazhon 2000 efektivë në terren
- Insajderi: Policia në Tiranë angazhon 2000 efektivë në terren
- Dukagjini: Protestuesit e PD-së i vënë flakën ulëseve të vendosura nga Rama për dialog
- ERT News: Τίρανα: Ένταση έξω από το υπουργείο Παιδείας, σπασμένα πεζοδρόμια και φωτιά σε κάδους – Ξεχωριστή συγκέντρωση φοιτητών και αντιπολίτευσης
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- How many people were injured in the Tirana protests?
- 23 people were injured, including protesters, police officers and journalists, the health ministry said.
- What triggered the unrest?
- Nearly two weeks of student-led protests against the government have escalated, with protesters setting fire to ministry entrances and clashing with police.
- What happened to the protester hit in the eye?
- He underwent emergency surgery in Tirana and was later flown to Italy for further treatment, Albanian media reported.
This article was written with AI assistance from 51 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.