Two teenage Tibetans, a monk and a layperson who are believed to have been cousins, set themselves on fire near the eastern gate of Kirti monastery.

Lobsang Kelsang, 18, was seen walking with flames shooting from his body before he collapsed to the ground. It is not known what he shouted or said as he set himself on fire.

Chinese security personnel extinguished the flames and took both men initially to the hospital in Ngaba town, but later moved them to a hospital in Barkham. Both young men died in hospital.

Lobsang Damchoe older sister, nun Tenzin Choedron, died following her self-immolation on 11 February 2012. Lobsang Damchoe was formerly a monk at Kirti, but he disrobed so that he could help his mother with her work in a nomadic area of Ngaba.