Student protesters hurled bricks and concrete blocks at Albania's Education Ministry in Tirana on Tuesday (October 13) and police fired tear gas and water cannons in response, as a nationwide demonstration over education and social issues turned violent.

Police officers detained several protesters.

Student organisers said the protest was over conditions at universities, higher education costs, financial support and employment prospects after graduation.

Some protesters added they wanted to express their frustration with inequality and the government.

The demonstration comes amid a broader wave of student activism in Europe. In France, high school students have staged weeks of protests and school blockades demanding more teachers and better facilities, arguing that deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms are undermining education.

Albania's Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu wrote on Facebook: "Violence has not been, is not, and will never be a solution. Throwing stones, attacking institutions and the state police, as well as the senseless destruction of public property, are not how youth should express themselves."

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

TIRANA, ALBANIA (OCTOBER 13, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING, WHISTLING NEXT TO PILES OF BURNING FURNITURE AND PAPERS

2. VARIOUS OF POLICE TRUCKS FIRING WATER CANNON, PROTESTERS THROWING OBJECTS AT POLICE

3. VARIOUS OF RIOT POLICE

4. PROTESTER RIPPING DOWN CCTV CAMERA

5. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS THROWING OBJECTS THROUGH WINDOWS OF MAYOR'S OFFICE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) PROTESTER, BRUNILDA ISMAILI, (REFERRING TO PRIME MINISTER EDI RAMA AND ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT) SAYING:

"It must be overthrown. It must be overthrown. They must hold elections, form a technical government and then hold free and fair elections. Whoever wins, let him win."

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) PROTESTER, FIQIRI BRAILIKA, SAYING:

"I am homeless, without a roof. They each have 20 houses. They have everything. They do everything. They do everything. Down with communism."

8. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS THROWING OBJECTS AT TRASHED IUTE FINANCIAL SERVICES BRANCH