A teenager reportedly set himself on fire after learning about his Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results.
The distressing news emerged in an audio clip circulating widely on various social media platforms.
The distressed narrator, identified as the sister of the teenager’s father, provided a harrowing account of the incident, shedding light on the desperation that led to the self-immolation attempt.
“That is not social media; that is my brother’s son. He is around 16 to 17 years. When the results came back, and he realized he did not perform to his expectation, he went, wrapped himself in a blanket, poured petrol on himself, and then went to the bathroom and set himself on fire,” narrated the boy’s aunt.
The tragic event unfolded while all the parents were reportedly at work. It was the neighbors and fellow children who raised the alarm upon noticing an abundance of smoke. Despite the immediate efforts of a neighbor to save the teenager, the severity of the situation rendered it too late. The injured teenager was subsequently rushed to multiple clinics before being referred to Kirudu Hospital.
According to the distraught aunt, the young boy is in critical condition, having sustained burns covering almost 95% of his body. The gravity of the situation underscores the emotional toll that academic pressure can inflict on students, emphasizing the need for mental health awareness and support.
