Man dies after setting himself on fire outside UN headquarters in New York

A 52-year-old man died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday while carrying a Tibetan flag, authorities said.

According to the New York Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call around 6:30 pm and found the man with severe burns. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police said the incident is under investigation. Officials did not say what may have led to the act.

The man's identity has not been released because his family has not yet been informed.

A UN spokesperson said the incident occurred after all scheduled meetings had ended for the day and did not disrupt any UN activities.

The incident comes against the backdrop of the long-running dispute over Tibet. China says Tibet has been part of its territory for more than 700 years, and the ruling Communist Party has governed the Himalayan region since 1951. Many Tibetans, however, say Tibet was effectively independent for much of its history and have protested what they describe as Beijing's strict rule.

According to the International Campaign for Tibet, more than 150 Tibetans died after setting themselves on fire between 2009 and 2022 in acts of protest.

China does not recognize Tibet's government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration, and has not held talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama since 2010.