Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns amid escalating unrest as protesters breach her official residence.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday after weeks of escalating protests against a controversial government job quota system turned violent and challenged her 15-year tenure. Thousands of demonstrators breached her official residence and other buildings linked to her party and family.

Hasina’s departure has raised concerns about further instability in Bangladesh, already grappling with high unemployment, corruption, and climate change. In response to the unrest, Dhaka’s main airport temporarily suspended operations due to security concerns.

Reports, which have not been independently verified, indicate that violence surrounding Hasina’s resignation resulted in at least 41 deaths and around 200 injuries. In Jashore, a southwestern town, protesters reportedly killed more than a dozen people by setting fire to a hotel owned by a member of Hasina’s party.

General Waker-uz-Zaman, the military chief, has assumed temporary control of the country and is overseeing efforts to address the unrest. President Mohammed Shahabuddin, after consulting with Waker-uz-Zaman and opposition leaders, announced that Parliament would be dissolved and a national government would be formed to prepare for new elections.