Molotov cocktails thrown at police in Tirana; officer set alight
Molotov cocktails struck police during a tense demonstration in Skanderbeg Square; one officer and a protester suffered burns.
Published: 24 October 2026 17:53
Protesters in Tirana threw Molotov cocktails at police during a demonstration, and one officer caught fire while colleagues attempted to extinguish the flames, according to video of the incident.
Clashes, pyrotechnics and tear gas
The unrest at Skanderbeg Square continued under tense conditions, with demonstrators using pyrotechnic devices and authorities deploying tear gas. Footage from the scene shows clouds of tear gas covering parts of the square.
During the exchanges, a young man's jacket caught fire after a Molotov cocktail was thrown; he managed to put out the flames himself. The separately recorded clip of a police officer shows him briefly alight while fellow officers rushed to help.
Protesters also launched fireworks and other incendiary devices amid moments of direct confrontation with police. The use of pyrotechnics and tear gas followed earlier clashes reported during the demonstration in the capital.
The situation remained volatile on the square as the protest continued into the evening, with security forces and demonstrators exchanging projectiles and authorities attempting to restore order.
Photo: press material from the event
