Reuters · October 14, 2026

Fire Breaks Out at Albania's Education Ministry During Student Protests in Tirana

• Thousands of protesters gathered in front of Albania's Education Ministry in Tirana on Wednesday, the second day of student protests, and the ministry building caught fire, according to the report.
• Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, according to the report; Reuters footage showed some protesters threw bricks at the building, broke metal sidewalk barriers and overturned trash cans.
• A nearby Raiffeisen Bank branch also caught fire, a Reuters witness said, according to the report.
• Student organisers said the protest concerned conditions at universities, higher education costs, financial support and employment prospects after graduation, according to the report.
• Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu said on Facebook that protesting is a legitimate right and called on students and citizens to distance themselves from violence and vandalism, according to the report.

Crowd, fire and police accounts are as reported by Reuters, including Reuters footage and a Reuters witness; the organisers' and deputy prime minister's statements are as reported by Reuters. This card is based on the accessible portion only. Original headline: "Fire breaks out at Albania's Education Ministry during student protest".