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French student sets himself on fire over financial problems | French student sets himself on fire over financial problems |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A 22-year-old French student is in a critical condition after setting himself on fire. | A 22-year-old French student is in a critical condition after setting himself on fire. |
The man posted on Facebook about his financial difficulties just hours before self-immolating in front of a university restaurant in Lyon. | The man posted on Facebook about his financial difficulties just hours before self-immolating in front of a university restaurant in Lyon. |
He blamed President Emmanuel Macron, two of his predecessors, far-right leader Marine Le Pen as well as the European Union for having "killed him". | He blamed President Emmanuel Macron, two of his predecessors, far-right leader Marine Le Pen as well as the European Union for having "killed him". |
Firefighters said the man had sustained 90% burns. | Firefighters said the man had sustained 90% burns. |
The man, who was studying at Lyon 2 University, wrote on Facebook that he no longer had the strength to face the financial burden of living on €450 (£388) a month. | The man, who was studying at Lyon 2 University, wrote on Facebook that he no longer had the strength to face the financial burden of living on €450 (£388) a month. |
"Let us fight against the rise of fascism, which only divides us... and liberalism that creates inequalities," he wrote. | "Let us fight against the rise of fascism, which only divides us... and liberalism that creates inequalities," he wrote. |
"I accuse Macron, [François] Hollande, [Nicolas] Sarkozy and the EU of killing me, creating uncertainties about the future of all, and I also accuse Le Pen and columnists of creating not-so-insignificant fears," he added. | |
Referring to the location of the incident - in front of a busy university restaurant - he said he was "aiming for a political venue". | Referring to the location of the incident - in front of a busy university restaurant - he said he was "aiming for a political venue". |
The man's girlfriend had alerted authorities after he informed her of his plan in a text message. | The man's girlfriend had alerted authorities after he informed her of his plan in a text message. |
The SUD-Éducation and Solidaires student unions spoke of the "precariousness" of "the life of the students". | The SUD-Éducation and Solidaires student unions spoke of the "precariousness" of "the life of the students". |
"His act cannot be reduced to despair alone," they said in a statement. | "His act cannot be reduced to despair alone," they said in a statement. |