A Tibetan in his late twenties called Lhamo Kyab set fire to himself and died today near Bora monastery in Sangchu (Chinese: Xiahe) county, Kanlho (Gannan) prefecture in Gansu province. Lhamo Kyab leaves a wife and two children, aged 10 and 7.

According to Tibetans in exile, Lhamo Kyab was seen running along the road in flames, and calling for the Dalai Lama to come home to Tibet. The same sources said that police tried to put out the flames, and a local man took off his shirt and tried to fling it over Lhamo Kyab but the blaze was too strong.

There was some tension between security personnel on the scene and local Tibetans as Tibetans sought to take the body to Bora monastery. Tibetans succeeded in taking Lhamo Kyab’s remains there and held prayers.

Lhamo Kyab is from the Drognang lower village in Bora township. Further information will be reported as details emerge.