Three more Tibetans in fire protest

Three more people have set themselves on fire to protest about China's policies toward Tibetans in a politically sensitive area that already has seen ethnic violence this year.

The US-funded Radio Free Asia said the three people set themselves on fire on Friday in Seda country in Sichuan province. It said one person died and the others are in serious condition.

If confirmed, the incidents would bring to at least 19 the number of monks, nuns and lay Tibetans who have set themselves on fire, mostly in traditionally Tibetan areas of Sichuan province.

Most have chanted for Tibetan freedom and the return of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959.

"The survivors are seriously injured though the details are difficult to obtain," one source told Radio Free Asia.

AP