Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amid Nepal's worst unrest in decades, as public anger mounts over the deaths of 19 anti-corruption protesters in clashes with police on Monday.
On Tuesday, crowds set fire to parliament in the capital Kathmandu, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Government buildings and the houses of political leaders were attacked around the country.
Three more deaths were reported on Tuesday. Amid the chaos, jail officials said 900 inmates managed to escape from two prisons in Nepal's western districts.
The demonstrations were triggered by a ban on social media platforms. It was lifted on Monday - but by then protests had swelled into a mass movement.
Nepal's army chief issued a statement late on Tuesday accusing demonstrators of taking advantage of the current crisis by damaging, looting, and setting fire to public and private property.
It said if unrest continued, all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation, effective from 22:00 local time (16:15 GMT; 17:15 BST), without detailing what this might entail.
While the prime minister has stepped down, it's not clear who will replace him - or what happens next, with seemingly no one in charge. Some leaders, including ministers, have reportedly taken refuge with the security forces.
The protests appear spontaneous, with no organised leadership. Inside parliament, jubilant scenes unfolded as hundreds of protesters danced and chanted slogans around a fire at the entrance to the building, many holding Nepal's flag.
Kathmandu resident Muna Shreshta, 20, expressed hope for positive change, emphasizing the need for reform due to long-standing corruption issues.
Debit to the protests was exacerbated by a government's move to block 26 social media platforms, justified as an effort to tackle misinformation. However, young Nepalis viewed this as an attack on free speech.
The unrest intensified following an emergency meeting that lifted the ban, but public discontent continued to grow against the political elite.
Past accusations of corruption, especially highlighted by the “nepo kid” campaign showcasing the opulent lifestyles of politicians' offspring, stoked the fires of protest.
As protests continued into Tuesday, demonstrators targeted the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and prominent political figures, leaving a tumultuous situation in their wake.
In his resignation letter, Oli cited the need for political resolution to the chaos, leaving Nepal at a significant crossroads.
