A fire broke out at Albania's Education Ministry on Wednesday during the second consecutive day of violent student protests in the capital Tirana, as police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Education Ministry building. Some threw bricks at the structure, broke metal sidewalk barriers, and overturned trash cans. According to reports, some students entered the ministry premises by scaling a wall, after which fire was observed on the second floor of the building. Black smoke billowed from the building as firefighting crews arrived to extinguish the blaze.
A nearby Raiffeisen Bank branch also caught fire during the clashes, according to a Reuters witness. Demonstrators set garbage bins ablaze, erected barricades from metal fencing, and threw stones and other objects at police. Riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to break up the crowds. Police reported 16 arrests resulting from the violence.
The students are demanding better university conditions, lower education costs, increased financial support for students, and improved employment opportunities after graduation. The demonstrations also call for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Some protesters marched toward the Parliament building and forced entry into the Ministry of Finance.
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Cociu condemned the violence on social media, stating that while protesting is a legitimate right, it cannot be used as an excuse for violence, city destruction, or street fighting. She called on students and citizens to distance themselves from violence and vandalism.
The European Union Delegation in Albania expressed concern over allegations of excessive use of force against demonstrators and journalists.