NEW YORK (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York as a man, brandishing a Tibetan flag, set himself ablaze on Thursday, leading to his death, officials have confirmed.
Officers from the New York Police Department responded to an urgent 911 call at approximately 6:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found a 52-year-old man suffering from severe burns covering his entire body.
The injured man was swiftly transported to a hospital. Tragically, despite medical efforts, he was later pronounced dead by hospital staff, as noted by police reports.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the self-immolation. However, officials have refrained from commenting on any possible motives why the man chose such a drastic and public act.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.
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The man’s name has not been released because his family hasn’t been notified yet, according to police.
A United Nations spokesperson said the incident happened after all scheduled meetings were finished for the day.
China says Tibet has been part of its territory since the mid-13th century, and its Communist Party has governed the Himalayan region since 1951. But many Tibetans say they were effectively independent for most of their history and the Chinese government wants to exploit the resource-rich region while crushing its cultural identity.
China does not recognize Tibet’s government-in-exile, which is called the Central Tibetan Administration, and it hasn’t held dialogue with the Dalai Lama’s representatives since 2010.