On Monday, thousands of protesters stormed the official residence of the former prime minister of Bangladesh, who had resigned and fled to neighbouring India. The scene became the culmination of five weeks of intense protests that have left a tragic toll of nearly 300 dead and have plunged the country into a deep political crisis.

The assault on the residence, which has left images as iconic as they are disturbing, reflects the chaos and tension that have marked recent weeks in Bangladesh. Amid the confusion, some protesters They opted for a bizarre war trophy: a tray of empanadas that one of them displayed smilingly in front of the cameras, as if it were the most precious loot. Others, more pragmatic, helped themselves directly to the catering, taking advantage of a succulent plunder of the food that was left abandoned at the place.

But the looting was not limited to food. The protesters also took paintings, armchairs, chairs and even toyslooking for a tangible souvenir of a day that has already passed into history. The collection of banknotes found by some was another objective of those hoping for a more material prize in the midst of the confusion.

Meanwhile, the low military effectiveness The man who remained in the residence tried, without much success, to dissuade the attackers, who seemed unstoppable.