A shocking incident unfolded at Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan when a passenger set himself ablaze following a heated argument with his wife over his inability to purchase flight tickets. The man, who was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, was seen in a video shared on social media, wearing a baseball cap and jacket, standing at a counter in the airport terminal.
Without warning, the man was suddenly engulfed in flames. He ran from behind the counter into the concourse, eventually collapsing and rolling on the floor in an attempt to extinguish the fire. Airport staff quickly responded, rushing to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher.
The video shows the man lying on the floor, moaning in pain, his shirt completely burned off. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition.
According to an airport employee who spoke to the Kazakh news outlet, Tengrin News, the man had missed his train home and was desperately trying to secure a flight. He had entered an office and requested a phone to call his wife. Following their argument, he began dousing himself with gasoline. He allowed a worker to leave the office before setting himself on fire.
Bystanders watched in horror as the man, fully engulfed in flames, ran screaming into the concourse. It remains unclear how the man managed to bring gasoline into the airport, but it is speculated that he may have obtained it from a nearby gas station.
A police officer told Tengrin News, “Some say he may have been drunk.” A criminal investigation into the incident has been initiated, with further inquiries ongoing, according to police.