74 lives claimed in anti-corruption protests, mob violence

Nepal has seen its deadliest political unrest in decades as countrywide Gen Z-led ‘#Sept8’ protests against corruption and a social media ban, spiralled by mob violence on September 9 and 10, have claimed 74 lives, and left over 2,100 injured—with many in critical condition.

Among the lives lost are 45 protesters aged between 18 and 64 who lost their lives to police shooting and bullet wounds—43 in Kathmandu and two in Itahari. Three police personnel lost their lives to mob violence on September 9.

As of September 19, authorities have recovered 16 charred bodies in burnt buildings in Kathmandu, Dharan, Biratnagar, and Pokhara. Of them, 13 were found in the Bhatbhateni Supermarket outlets—7 in Chuchchepati, four in Dharan, and one each in Koteshwor and Biratnagar.

Additionally, one charred body was recovered from each of the following locations: the Bishal Group Business Complex in Thankot, Chandragiri; the Himalayan Organisation in Pokhara; and the residence of Ganga Dahal in Lalitpur.

Meanwhile, five juvenile inmates and five adult prisoners were shot while attempting to escape the correctional facilities and prisons, respectively, across the country.