Man dies after setting himself on fire in protest at unemployment

ANTALYA – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

A Turkish man has succumbed to his wounds after setting himself on fire in the southern province of Antalya on Feb. 8 in protest at his unemployment. 

Ulaş Akın, 32, had gone to Antalya’s Muratpaşa Municipality at 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 hoping to speak with the district mayor after he was discharged from his job as a construction worker. Akın was reportedly hoping for assistance while seeking new employment. 

He was informed, however, that Mayor Ümit Uysal was elsewhere for a town council meeting.

According to reports, Akın left the municipality and poured a barrel of gasoline over himself before igniting himself.

Although people immediately intervened in an attempt to extinguish the flames, Akın’s upper body received severe burns. 

The man was brought to Akdeniz University Hospital’s burn unit for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries at midnight on Feb. 8. 

Akın’s funeral will be held in his hometown of Karaman in Central Anatolia.