A young man has died after setting himself on fire in Kandahar city on Sunday.
The man, who remains unidentified, allegedly doused himself with petrol from his motorcycle and set himself on fire at the Patyalwat intersection in the city. Eyewitnesses reported that he was declared dead before he could be transported to the hospital.
Taliban officials in Kandahar have confirmed the incident and said that the victim suffered from mental health issues.
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Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has witnessed a steep rise in suicide rates.
At least 30 people are reported to have taken their lives in Kandahar province.
Kandahar is the Taliban’s birthplace and home to its supreme leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada.