Content warning – If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the friendly team at Embrace by calling 1564.
A citizen in Lebanon attempted to set himself on fire after security forces tried to close his shop for violating lockdown measures, the National News Agency reported.
40-year-old barber “M.N.” doused himself with gasoline and tried to set fire to himself as an Internal Security Forces (ISF) patrol attempted to fine him and close down his barbershop for working during the ongoing lockdown.
The said patrol had reached the barber after another citizen informed the ISF about his violation of the closure.
Locals in the village of Kfar Tebnit, Nabatieh, rushed to stop the man, who reportedly yelled: “I would rather die of fire than die of hunger. I want to work and feed my children,” as he tried to set himself on fire using a gallon of gasoline he had been holding.
He then entered his shop and locked himself inside. The patrol then issued, nonetheless, the fine in the man’s absence.
Barbershops and other non-essential businesses may only reopen late into the 4-stage reopening plan that was announced by the Lebanese authorities last week.
However, most people are in dire need to work to feed their families and themselves as the lockdown lengthens on their predicament with no backup from the government.
People have been already protesting with no response from the authorities other than with fines, arrests, imprisonment, and violence.
Content warning – If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the friendly team at Embrace by calling 1564.
