As we flew into Kathmandu, you could already see from the sky, the fury playing out on the streets below.
Huge plumes of smoke rose over the Nepalese capital. It was the second day of intense protests, and it soon felt like something seismic.
On the ground, it was kinetic and chaotic. We landed just before the army closed the airport. The protesters were minutes away.
On the road, a constant stream of young people sped by on motorbikes, honking their horns as they raced towards parliament.
Some were carrying batons, others guns, some simply using their voices, declaring a “revolution”.
We watched as they set fire to a police station. Many, already angry, were incensed by the deaths of 19 people on Monday – accusing the police of using live ammunition to silence dissent.
The government has so far only acknowledged using rubber bullets and tear gas.
The leadership did lift the restrictions on social media – allowing people to use apps like X, YouTube and Instagram once again.
And soon after, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned. But that wasn’t enough to satisfy the thousands defying the curfew.
Nearly everyone we spoke to shared the same message – this was not about any platform – it was about something far deeper and far more entrenched.
“This protest is not against the social media ban,” one man said as he raced through on a bike.
“This is against the big corruption that these ministers have done for the past few decades.
“We were suppressed. Now we have a voice.”
Throughout the day, you could feel people getting more emboldened. It was less than 24 hours before that we’d seen police firing at protesters – some victims died in their school uniforms.
But on Tuesday, we didn’t see a single officer. The only army we clocked was at the airport. And their absence was no more glaring than at the very centre of politics.
Parliament House, home to lawmakers, was engulfed in flames as we approached. Protesters were rejoicing outside – thousands cheering as the building burned.
It was surreal. The building looked abandoned – overrun by those who want radical change.
“They have given an open challenge to Gen Z,” one man told me, punching his wooden stick into the air as he spoke. “You should not challenge the youth or challenge Gen Z.”
I asked a young woman, Sandeep Bista, 26, if she was worried about more violence, given that 19 people had already died.
“I think to gain something you have to lose something,” she said. “So they’re patriots for us. But today I’m happy. Revolution is coming.”
As the light faded, the mood shifted, people edging closer until they finally stormed inside – large groups clutching phones – seemingly undeterred by the sound of small explosions.
There was smashed glass everywhere, dust obscuring the winding stairs. People climbed up them to try and grab or destroy what little was left – relics to remember the day by.
Some came back with gleeful faces, holding bits of gold furniture and decoration – a symbol of the elite they’ve come to loathe.
Read more from Sky News:
Hard to see how Doha airstrike helps Israeli hostages
Expert examines ‘Trump signature’ in Epstein birthday book
Elsewhere in the city, politicians were attacked, their homes targeted. The young people here feel on the cusp of victory and the right side of history.
When you ask them what justice looks like, they say they want equality – a leadership that addresses their needs.
Quite what that equality looks like seems harder for them to specify. But a wholesale change in leadership appears to be a crucial demand.
The big question is, what next?
We don’t yet know who might take over from the prime minister. The police clearly chose to stay away on Tuesday – no doubt fearful of the reception they’d receive.
But by evening, the Nepali army vowed to “take control of the situation”. From what we saw, calm currently feels pretty elusive.
Hundreds of inmates have escaped prisons, politicians’ home addresses are being shared online, and many young people who feel they have waited far too long already want dramatic change and quickly.
Read more from Cordelia Lynch:
The red pill explosion fuelling a secret detox ritual
At the scene of mosque hit by an Indian missile strike
Follow The World
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Tap to follow
It is a powder keg moment that could change the course of the country for many years to come.
Like the recent demonstration in Indonesia and the uprising in Bangladesh just a year ago, this moment in Nepal has shown the fierce political power of young people.
iPhone 17 Pro. Credit: Apple
iPhone 17. Credit: Apple
AirPods Pro 3. Credit: Apple
Apple Watch Series 11. Credit: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 3. Credit: Apple
