An individual protesting outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan set themselves on fire Thursday evening, according to sources. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on First Avenue near 43rd Street.
Surveillance footage showed the person planting a Tibetan flag on the sidewalk before igniting themselves. The individual was transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition. An NYPD officer was seen holding a sign that read "China Out of Tibet" at the scene, where the flag remained on the sidewalk for about an hour after the event as authorities investigated.
![A police officer stands near a sign that reads "CHINA OUT OF TIBET" in front of the UN.]( "A police officer stands near a sign that reads "CHINA OUT OF TIBET" in front of the UN.")