Pakistan asylum-seeker sets fire to himself in Austria

A Pakistani asylum-seeker was in critical condition in an Austrian hospital after setting fire to himself because he could not afford to live, police said.

A Pakistani asylum-seeker was in critical condition in an Austrian hospital on Saturday after setting fire to himself because he could not afford to live, police said.

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The man, aged 26, was saved by a witness who managed to smother the flames with a blanket in the incident at the railways station late Friday in the northern town of Wels.

The man had said he could not survive on the 180 euros (250 dollars) income he had per month.

The Pakistani had been living legally in Austria for several years in the hope of obtaining political asylum, the police said. Asylum-seekers in Austria are not allowed to take paid employment while awaiting the decision of the authorities.