Clashes between protesters and police escalated sharply outside Albania’s Parliament on Thursday, with demonstrators throwing stones and other hard objects at officers, prompting a forceful response including tear gas and a water cannon.

According to local media reports, some protesters also threw Molotov cocktails during the confrontation as tensions intensified around the parliamentary building.

Police responded with water cannon and tear gas in an effort to disperse the crowd. The protest has since fragmented into several groups, with one gathering along the side of the Parliament building while others have been taken to police stations.

Earlier in the day, some protesters reportedly threw eggs at MPs, prompting police to detain several individuals and escort them to police stations.

At one point, demonstrators breached a metal security fence and attempted to enter the Parliament premises, leading police to deploy pepper spray to push them back.

The situation remains tense as authorities continue to manage scattered groups of protesters across the area.