Albanian protests escalate as Zvernec residents face new coastal barriers
Residents in Zvernec near Vlora have faced new coastal restrictions and police inaction since May 2026, sparking the Flamingo Revolution protests that continue through October.
Coastal access blocked by barriers
In May 2026, a barbed wire fence enclosed the coastline near Zvernec after residents had used it freely for years. Masked private security guards removed one resident while Albanian police watched without stopping the action. Photos of this event circulated quickly and caused anger among the public.
Protests spread across the country
Demonstrations have occurred in Tirana for more than four months as part of the Flamingo Revolution movement. The name comes from pink flamingos living in a lagoon that developers are clearing for a luxury resort project. Student groups now call for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
Violence increases during October
Since 13 October, authorities used rubber bullets and water cannons against demonstrators in Tirana. By 18 October, health officials reported that 272 people were injured including 169 police officers.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.