On 26 November 24-year-old Yonten set himself on fire in Meruma Township, Ngaba County. Yonten died of his injuries on the same day.

Yonten was previously a monk in nearby Kirti Monastery but later disrobed and settled as a nomad.

Meruma township has been the scene of numerous self-immolation protests, most recently in March 2018, when Tsekho Tugchak died after setting himself on fire.