Man sets himself ablaze at UN and dies: police

Tiles depicting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are displayed outside the UN General Assembly Hall at the United Nations on Sept. 23, 2023. (Ted Anthony / AP Photo)

A man set himself on fire outside the New York headquarters of the United Nations on Thursday and died of his injuries, the city’s police department said.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) told AFP that 6:32 p.m. local time it received a call that “a male set himself on fire” at First Avenue and 42nd Street. He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital, according to police, investigations are ongoing. No motive was given.

The New York Post newspaper reported the individual had a Tibetan flag during the incident, but AFP could not independently verify the claim.

The UN did not return a request for comment.

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