A man set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC, according to US emergency services.
The incident occurred around 1:00 PM local time on Sunday.
“The man was extinguished by US Secret Service officers before being rushed to the hospital with critical injuries,” stated the city’s fire department.
Reports later revealed that the man was an active-duty airman, as confirmed by a spokeswoman for the US Air Force.
The Washington police department, in collaboration with the Secret Service and other authorities, is currently investigating the incident.
According to a statement from the police, the event took place at “the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, at approximately 1:00 pm.”
Officers were dispatched to “assist the United States Secret Service after an individual set themselves on fire in front of an embassy in the block.”
The statement also noted that an “adult male” was transported to the hospital, where he remains “in critical condition.”
A video circulating on social media allegedly shows the man shouting “Free Palestine” while engulfed in flames, as reported by US media.
Due to concerns about a suspicious vehicle possibly linked to the individual, a bomb disposal unit was dispatched to the scene.
However, it was later deemed safe as no hazardous materials were found.
Fortunately, no embassy staff were harmed during the incident, according to an embassy spokeswoman speaking to the New York Times.
The Israeli foreign ministry stated that the man was not recognized by embassy staff.
This isn’t the first instance of self-immolation in front of an Israeli diplomatic facility in the US.
In December, a protester set themselves on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Georgia, using petrol and leaving behind a Palestinian flag at the scene, as per police reports.
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