At a glance
- Albania's hospitals recorded 207 people injured over the first four days of protests in Tirana (13-16 October): 132 police officers, 58 protesters and 17 bystanders, Albanian Daily News reported.
- Fire reached part of Albania's High Court building on 17 October; a nearby parked car and several rubbish bins were also set alight, and firefighters contained the blaze, Albanian Daily News reported.
- A separate fire was reported the same day near the former Hotel Dajti, which now houses a Bank of Albania branch.
- The Israeli Embassy in Tirana closed indefinitely from 16 October, citing heightened tensions, with no date set to reopen.
- In a video address on 16 October, Prime Minister Edi Rama said the unrest was "not a student phenomenon" and blamed unspecified "foreign hands", Al Jazeera reported, citing AFP and Reuters.
Albania's main hospitals recorded 207 people injured in the first four days of anti-government protests in Tirana, and fire reached part of the country's High Court building on Saturday 17 October, Albanian Daily News reported.
Citing the University Trauma Hospital, the Mother Teresa University Hospital Centre and regional hospitals in Durrës, Vlorë and Lezhë, the outlet said 132 police officers, 58 protesters and 17 bystanders were treated for injuries between 13 and 16 October.
Fire reaches the High Court
On 17 October, part of Albania's High Court building caught fire during renewed unrest in Tirana, along with a nearby parked car and several rubbish bins, Albanian Daily News reported. Firefighters arrived within minutes and contained the blaze before it could spread through the building. A separate fire was also reported the same day near the former Hotel Dajti, which now houses a branch of the Bank of Albania. The outlet said the full extent of the damage and the circumstances of the fires had not been independently confirmed.
Israeli Embassy closes
The Israeli Embassy in Tirana closed indefinitely from 16 October, citing "recent developments" and heightened tensions linked to the protests, Albanian Daily News reported. The embassy said it had not set a date to reopen and asked anyone needing urgent consular help to use its emergency mobile line instead.
Rama blames "foreign hands"
In a video address on Friday 16 October, Prime Minister Edi Rama said the unrest was "not a student phenomenon" and claimed there were "foreign hands that do not wish for Albania to be at peace", Al Jazeera reported, citing AFP and Reuters. He did not name a country or group. He has repeatedly rejected calls to resign over the unrest, which began as student protests over education costs and has broadened into a wider anti-government movement; see our report on the third day of protests for background.
What this means for visitors and residents
Fire has now reached the High Court and a Bank of Albania branch building in central Tirana, in addition to the government buildings already affected, so continue to give the area around these institutions a wide berth. Anyone needing consular help from the Israeli Embassy should use its emergency contact line rather than visiting in person while it stays closed. The UK's travel advice for Albania still tells visitors to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, follow local authorities' instructions, and check local media, since protests may also occur outside Tirana.
Sources
- Albanian Daily News: 207 People Injured During Four Days of Protests in Albania, Including 132 Police Officers, 2026-10-17
- Albanian Daily News: Fire Reported at Albania's High Court as Protest Escalates in Tirana, 2026-10-17
- Albanian Daily News: Israeli Embassy in Tirana Closes Indefinitely Amid Protests in Albania's Capital, 2026-10-16
- Al Jazeera: Albanian PM blames 'foreign hands' for unrest as student protests intensify, 2026-10-16
- GOV.UK (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office): Albania travel advice: safety and security