Tragic Unrest in Nepal: Protests Against Corruption Turn Deadly

Tue Sep 16 2025 12:17:43 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Recent anti-corruption protests in Nepal escalate into violence, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 70 individuals, including many young people. Families demand accountability while the government faces scrutiny.

In Nepal, widespread protests against corruption quickly escalated into violence, claiming the lives of over 70 individuals, predominantly young people. Families are mourning their lost loved ones and demanding accountability as the government faces increased scrutiny. The interim Prime Minister pledges to investigate the tragic events and bring justice to those affected.

Everyone said rubber bullet, rubber bullet. It was not a rubber bullet. If you see my son, his head was broken, a hole is there.

Narendra Shrestha wants to know who will take responsibility for the death of his son Sulov, who was among scores killed in violent unrest that rocked Nepal last week.

Mr. Shrestha, 45, is perched outside the gates of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital's mortuary in the capital. He's already been inside and identified 21-year-old Sulov's body.

I want to ask this country, he says, choking back tears, if they can fire, they can shoot my son, then I and his mother will also stand. Who will we live for now? We also want to die.

A female family member sits beside him, holding his hand, while a man protects him from the beating sun with an umbrella.

Other families were also waiting to identify their young loved ones whose lives were cut short: one had dreamed of being a judge, another was a student working in a Kathmandu hotel, a third was learning French.

They are among more than 70 people who died in anti-corruption protests at the start of last week, which toppled the government of the Himalayan nation. More than 1,000 were injured in the two days of unrest.

A ban on social media was the impetus for the protests, but anger against government corruption had been building in recent weeks. By the time the ban was reversed, the protests had swelled into a wider movement.

Crowds torched politicians' homes and official buildings as an outpouring of anger at the ruling class boiled over.

Many of those killed were shot - police are accused of opening fire on the crowds. In response, Nepal's police have said they will investigate the events of those two days.

The protests began when thousands heeded a call to gather near parliament over the decision to ban social media platforms and broader dissatisfaction with the government. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to tragic consequences.

As the new interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, takes office, she faces the daunting task of restoring trust in the government while addressing the urgent calls for justice from grieving families.