Self-immolation of an Iranian asylum seeker in Germany

An Iranian asylum seeker who had his asylum application rejected set himself on fire in the town hall of the small town of Göppingen in southwestern Germany. His injuries are reported to be serious.

According to the police in the city of Ulm, a 35-year-old Iranian asylum seeker, whose asylum application was rejected and who set himself on fire in protest, has suffered serious injuries.

The asylum seeker went to the Göppingen city hall around noon on Tuesday, May 29, and showed two female municipal employees the form rejecting his asylum application and asked them for help.

According to the Protestant News Agency, the municipality's colleagues promised him favors, but the man suddenly became angry and took out a bottle of incendiary material from his backpack and poured it on himself.

According to police, the asylum seeker set himself on fire as the female employees tried to get to safety. A municipal employee quickly intervened and put out the flames with a towel.

The asylum seeker was then taken to hospital by helicopter. He is said to have suffered severe burns.

Source: DW