Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amid Nepal's worst unrest in decades, as public anger mounts over the deaths of 19 anti-corruption protesters in clashes with police on Monday.
On Tuesday, crowds set fire to parliament in the capital Kathmandu, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Government buildings and the houses of political leaders were attacked around the country.
Three more deaths were reported on Tuesday. Amid the chaos, jail officials said 900 inmates managed to escape from two prisons in Nepal's western districts.
The demonstrations were triggered by a ban on social media platforms. It was lifted on Monday - but by then protests had swelled into a mass movement.
Nepal's army chief issued a statement late on Tuesday accusing demonstrators of taking advantage of the current crisis by damaging, looting and setting fire to public and private property. It said if unrest continued, all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation, effective from 22:00 local time (16:15 GMT; 17:15 BST), without detailing what this might entail.
While the prime minister has stepped down, it's not clear who will replace him - or what happens next, with seemingly no-one in charge. Some leaders, including ministers, have reportedly taken refuge with the security forces.
The protests appear spontaneous, with no organised leadership. Inside parliament, there were jubilant scenes as hundreds of protesters danced and chanted slogans around a fire at the entrance to the building, many holding Nepal's flag.
Corruption has been a long-term issue, according to Kathmandu resident Muna Shreshta, 20, who expressed the urgent need for change in her country. The government's decision to block 26 social media platforms had sparked significant backlash, as the public relied on them for communication and news.
Although the ban was hastily lifted, the protests had already gained unstoppable momentum, targeting the political elite and plunging the nation into chaos. Crowds in Kathmandu torched the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and the houses of prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Oli himself.
In his resignation letter, Oli stated, In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution. The fate of the nation now hangs in the balance as discussions for new leadership commence amid ongoing civil unrest.
