Kathmandu, Nepal – Widespread protests against alleged corruption in Nepal have turned violent, leaving behind significant destruction in the capital city. According to officials from the Kathmandu Fire Brigade, large portions of the Hilton Hotel’s infrastructure have been gutted by fire. The hotel, considered the tallest in Nepal, was one of several high-profile buildings targeted during the unrest.
On Tuesday, angry demonstrators set fire to multiple government and landmark properties, including the Hilton hotel. Drone footage circulating on social media shows thick smoke rising as one side of the multi-storey building stands charred. The incident has shocked many, as the hotel has long been regarded as a modern symbol of Kathmandu’s growing urban landscape.
The violence didn’t stop there. Reports confirm that Nepal’s Parliament, Supreme Court, and the Ministry of Health and Population were also attacked. The ministry building holds historic significance, having been designed in 1965 by world-renowned American architect Louis I. Kahn. For decades, the site attracted global architecture students eager to study its unique design.
Videos flooding social media platforms show young protesters voicing their anger at Nepal’s political leadership. In one unverified clip, demonstrators can be seen allegedly chasing the country’s finance minister into a river. However, the authenticity of this video has not been independently confirmed.
With the Nepal Army taking full control of security, the unrest highlights deep frustration among the nation’s youth, who accuse leaders of rampant corruption and mismanagement. The fires at iconic landmarks, including the Hilton Hotel, underscore the scale of public outrage sweeping across the country.