Ümit A., who was laid off two years ago from a municipal job in the southern province of Gaziantep, tried to set himself on fire in front of city hall because of financial difficulties, the Mezopotamya news website reported on Tuesday.
First demanding to meet with Mayor Fatma Şahin and being rejected, he then took off his clothes and tried to set himself on fire.
“My children are hungry,” the man shouted. “I have been unemployed for two years. I haven’t even got my severance. I cannot receive unemployment pay.”
He was doused with a fire extinguisher and taken to a hospital by the police.