Albanian students protest in Tirana / A fire breaks out at the Education Ministry as police intervene with tear gas and water cannons

A fire broke out Wednesday at the headquarters of Albania’s Ministry of Education in Tirana, during the second day of student protests against corruption and problems in the university system. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the institution, and the protest escalated after some participants threw bricks at the building and vandalized street furniture.

Police intervened with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Protesters broke through metal barriers, overturned trash bins and caused damage in the area around the ministry. The fire broke out during the clashes, with authorities not immediately specifying its cause or whether there were any casualties.

The violence represents the most serious escalation of the anti-corruption demonstrations that began in May and poses a new challenge to the government led by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu condemned the vandalism, stressing that the right to protest does not justify the destruction of public property.

Students are calling for improved study conditions, lower university costs, more substantial financial support and better employment prospects after graduation. The protests are part of a broader wave of mobilization by young Europeans amid problems in education and the rising cost of living.