13,500 Prisoners escape in Nepal amid Violent protests, death toll reaches 30

September 10, 2025

Kathmandu: Nepal is witnessing its worst spell of unrest in recent years as more than 13,500 prisoners escaped from jails across the country, taking advantage of violent protests and a social media ban. At least 30 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured so far, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Authorities said 560 undertrials were among those who absconded. In Sindhuli, all 471 inmates broke free after setting fire inside the prison and storming through the main gate, Superintendent of Police Laldhwaj Subedi said. At Delhi Bazar Jail in Kathmandu, hundreds of prisoners were seen fleeing amid chaos.

In western Nepal, police firing during an attempted jailbreak killed five minor inmates and injured four others. A similar incident in Dhading left one prisoner dead and seven injured after security personnel opened fire. Officials said inmates had tried to snatch weapons from guards.

The unrest has crippled normal life. Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu has been closed indefinitely, leaving thousands, including foreign travellers, stranded. More than 300 Gujaratis and 14 people from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur are among the Indians stuck in Nepal. Air India has begun special flights to evacuate citizens.

The protests, spearheaded by Nepal’s Gen-Z youth movement, have escalated into clashes with security forces. Curfew has been extended nationwide, while all legal proceedings remain suspended after a fire broke out in the Supreme Court building.

Amid the political vacuum, protesters are divided over interim leadership. While a section backed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister, others opposed her, proposing Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah instead. Former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli appealed for restraint, condemning the violence and vandalism.

With tensions rising, the Nepal Army has urged demonstrators to submit names of possible leaders to help facilitate dialogue and restore order.

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