Bulgaria's Latest Self-Immolator Remains in Serious Condition

The 59-year-old Bulgarian miner who set himself on fire on Monday remains in serious condition according to local news agencies.

Simeon Simeonov, 59, reportedly poured gasoline on his body before the very eyes of his son. Before the desperate act he had called his wife telling her he felt useless for not being able to help his family.

The woman has become alarmed and had sent the son to check on Simeon. He arrived seconds after the flames burst and was able to extinguish them.

Simeon was rushed to hospital with 30% burns on his body. His condition remains critical, since he inhaled poisonous gases.

Media reports emerged on Tuesday that the self-immolation may have been an accident.

52-year-old blacksmith Dimitar Dimitrov set himself of fire in front of the Presidential building in Sofia last week. Security guards extinguished the flames and he was taken to hospital with 25% burns.

Three men passed away over the past month after setting themselves on fire during massive anti-stagnation protests in the Balkan country.

53-year-old Ventsislav Vasilev, who set himself on fire in Radnevo on February 26, having explained he has long lived in great poverty, passed away on March 10.

On March 3, Plamen Goranov, 36, died in Varna, after having set himself on fire on February 20, as an extreme act of political protest. Goranov, who protested against the corrupt authorities in the Black Sea city, became a symbol of the nationwide rallies, with media describing him as "the Bulgarian Jan Palach."

On February 19, 26-year-old Traian Marechkov set himself on fire and died soon after in Veliko Tarnovo, having explained he is too despaired to live on.

On March President Rosen Plevneliev installed a caretaker Cabinet after last month's resignation of the center-right GERB government that was triggered by the massive protests.