Man Who Set Himself on Fire Near UN Building in New York Dies in Hospital

Near the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, a man set himself on fire on Thursday afternoon and later died, according to confirmation from the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Police said that at around 18:32 local time, authorities received a call about a person who had set himself on fire near the UN building. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, but was later pronounced dead due to severe injuries.

Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident, while at this stage police have not yet provided an official assessment of the motives that may have driven him to this extreme act.

Reports from the New York Post say that the man was dressed like a Tibetan monk and that, shortly before setting himself on fire, he placed a Tibetan flag beside himself. This detail has raised suspicions that the incident may have been a form of protest.

So far, the United Nations has not issued an official response to the incident.