Smoke billows from the parliament building after it was set on fire during a protest against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Prakash Timalsina)
Photos show violent protests in Nepal, with government buildings set on fire
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A short-lived ban on social media in Nepal prompted violent protests in the capital, with demonstrators setting fire to government buildings and politicians’ homes.
Photos show smoke rising from the country’s parliament building, the presidential house, the central secretariat — that houses the offices of the prime minister and key ministries — and the prime minister’s official residence. The building of Kantipur publication, Nepal’s biggest media outlet, was also torched and damaged.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Nepal’s Parliament building stands vandalised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)The office of Kantipur Publication, Nepal’s biggest media outlet, stands vandalized by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)A protester throws a photograph of Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli in the fire at the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal’s government’s various ministries and offices during a protest against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Vehicles stand burned inside the vandalised office of the Department of Roads in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Valley Traffic office building stands vandalized in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Flames rise from Hilton hotel after it was set on fire in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Children peek through an opening outside Ullens school, which was set on fire by protesters, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Nepal Health Ministry building is seen vandalized in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)People work to douse a fire at Bhatbhatini shopping center after it was vandalized in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)A motorcyclist drives past a burning police station during protests against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal’s government’s various ministries and offices, is seen vandalized in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Protesters vandalize and burn down Nepalese communist party office during protests against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Flames come out from the residence of Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel after it was set on fire by protesters during a protest against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Prabin Ranabhat)Kathmandu district court building is seen vandalized in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Sept.10, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.