Authorities reported on Sunday that a man is in critical condition after igniting himself outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC.
The Metropolitan Police Department responded to the incident on International Drive around 1 pm to aid the Secret Service. The man sustained severe burn injuries, as confirmed by fire and emergency services.
The police department announced on Twitter/X, “An adult male was transported by DC Fire and EMS [Emergency Medical Services] to a local hospital where they remain in critical condition.”
The Guardian reported video circulating online depicted a man in uniform shouting “Free Palestine” while engulfed in flames, claiming to be an active member of the US Air Force. According to multiple officials cited by the Washington Post, this individual appeared to be the same person involved in the incident. However, an Air Force spokesperson informed the Post that they had not yet identified the man. The man reportedly remained on fire for approximately a minute before law enforcement extinguished the flames.
Talia Jane posted a photo of the incident on X.
Take a look:
Per Independent:
A man set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in northwest Washington, DC, officials with the District’s fire department told The Independent.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, officials say. The man was extinguished by members of the uniformed division of the US Secret Service, a public information officer told The Independent.
Officials also requested the Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) because of a “suspicious vehicle that may be connected to the individual,” according to a statement from the department. However, officials cleared the suspicious vehicle and found no hazardous materials, officials later said.
The man has since been transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
