A shocking self-immolation incident occurred outside the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, USA, on the evening of the 2nd local time. A man set himself on fire at the corner of First Avenue and 42nd Street, and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, but was later pronounced dead due to the severity of his injuries. Police have launched an investigation, but the specific motive remains to be clarified.
The New York City Police Department confirmed to AFP that at 6:32 pm, officers received a report that a man had self-immolated at the intersection of First Avenue and 42nd Street outside the UN headquarters. The man was subsequently taken to the hospital for emergency treatment but did not survive.
According to AFP, U.S. media outlets and a Tibetan advocacy activist said the man was a social activist in support of Tibet, but investigators have yet to confirm this information.
International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) chairman Tencho Gyatso confirmed that the deceased was named Lobsang Jangchup.
Criticism of China’s 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law'
In a statement to AFP, Tencho Gyatso said: "Lobsang was a tireless advocate for Tibet, dedicated to raising awareness of the human rights crisis in Tibet through peaceful means."
The statement mentioned that Lobsang had previously strongly criticized China's newly enacted 'Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law.'
According to the New York Post, the Tibetan man was Lobsang Jangchup, 42, who had lived in the United States for about 20 years. On the day of the incident, he was protesting in front of the UN headquarters holding a Tibetan flag and a sign reading "China Out of Tibet."
As for this unfortunate incident, the United Nations has yet to issue any response.