Nun sets herself on fire and dies

A BUDDHIST nun died yesterday after setting herself on fire, Chinese state media reported, in the 11th case among Tibetans in western China in recent months.

The official Xinhua News Agency said it was unclear why the woman, about 35 years old and identified as Qiu Xiang, killed herself along a road in Sichuan province’s Garze prefecture.

But the nine other men and one women who have set themselves on fire since March were seen as having acted in protest to Chinese restrictions on the Tibetan religion and culture.