Tibetans continue to set themselves on fire

Villagers gather to protect monks from Chinese forces

An 18-year-old Tibetan monk set himself on fire and died in Tibet today.

Lobsang Lobzin (right) self-immolated at midday (local time) inside Tsodun Kirti Monastery in Barkham County, eastern Tibet.

Human shield

Chinese forces began to make their way to the monastery but local Tibetans gathered to prevent them from proceeding.

This human shield aims to prevent the forcible removal of monks such as that which occurred at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba last year.

Tibetan protest

Lobsang Lobzin was admitted to the Tsodun Kirti Monastery at a very young age. His body is currently being held there and there are plans to cremate him tonight. Two other monks from the same monastery also set themselves on fire in March.

More than 40 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire in protest at the repressive Chinese occupation of their country. Read the full list.