A 52-year-old man died after setting himself on fire while holding a Tibetan flag outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Thursday evening, in what authorities describe as a rare case of self-immolation on U.S. soil.

According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 6:30 p.m. and found the man with severe burns. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Officials have not released the man's identity, and investigators are still working to determine the circumstances and motive behind the incident.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show the man standing along First Avenue opposite the UN headquarters while holding a Tibetan flag before flames engulfed him. The footage shows bystanders using fire extinguishers to put out the fire before emergency responders arrived.

Another video, reportedly posted to the same Facebook account around the time of the incident, features a man urging Tibetans to unite in support of Tibetan independence and preserve their cultural identity, language, and heritage. The speaker also criticized policies of the Chinese government, alleging they threaten Tibetan culture and traditions.

The incident has renewed attention to the long-standing political and human rights issues surrounding Tibet. Over the past several decades, numerous self-immolations have been linked to protests against Chinese rule in Tibet, according to the Tibetan government-in-exile. Such incidents, however, are extremely uncommon in the United States.

China has governed Tibet since 1951 and maintains that the region has historically been part of its territory. Beijing has consistently rejected allegations that it suppresses Tibetan religion, culture, or language, while many Tibetans and international rights groups continue to raise concerns over restrictions on religious freedom and cultural expression.

Authorities have not indicated whether the incident poses any wider security concerns, and the investigation remains ongoing.