Death toll climbs to 14 in youth-led protests against Nepal social media ban

The death toll in the youth-led protests against corruption and the government’s social media ban in Kathmandu has now hit 14, according to Nepal-based news outlet The Himalayan Times.

Six deaths were reported at the Trauma Center, three at Civil Hospital, three at Everest Hospital, one at Kathmandu Medical College, and one at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, the report said.

The number of people injured has yet to be confirmed amid uncertainty and the volume of cases.

Civil Hospital and Trauma Center are both struggling to handle the rush of patients coming in, The Himalayan Times says. They are reportedly referring patients to other facilities.

The identities of the dead and injured have yet to be confirmed.

Nepal blocked access to Facebook and other social media platforms last week after they failed to register with authorities amid a crackdown, Reuters reports. The government claims social media users with fake IDs have been spreading hate speech and fake news, while committing fraud and other crimes.

Thousands of protesters attempted to enter the country’s legislature by breaking a police barricade. This prompted authorities to impose a curfew around the parliament building.