World

Greece: Man in Debt Lights Himself on Fire…For the Second Time (Warning — Graphic Photos)

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities say a 55-year-old man has been hospitalized with chest burns after dousing himself with gasoline and then setting his clothes on fire. The man shouted that he was in debt as he carried out the act.

Police said the incident occurred Friday in Thessaloniki, in northern Greece, in front of a bank. Police used fire extinguishers to put out the blaze.

The injured man was not identified, but police say he had also set himself on fire and suffered burns 15 months ago, after complaining he could not pay back the debts from his failed business.

Debt-plagued Greece is in its third year of recession, and is surviving on international rescue loans. Drastic cost-cutting measures have caused a rash of business failures and record unemployment.

Photos below. Warning — may be disturbing to some.

Greece: Man in Debt Lights Himself on Fire...For the Second Time (Warning — Graphic Photos)

A man throws petrol over himself before setting himself on fire outside a branch of Piraeus bank in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Friday Sept. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Nontas Stlianidis)

Greece: Man in Debt Lights Himself on Fire...For the Second Time (Warning — Graphic Photos)

A man sets himself on fire outside a branch of Piraeus bank in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Friday Sept. 16, 2011. He said he was ruined after taking out a series of bank loans. (AP Photo/Nontas Stlianidis)

Greece: Man in Debt Lights Himself on Fire...For the Second Time (Warning — Graphic Photos)

A police officer uses a fire extinguisher as a man sets himself on fire outside a branch of Piraeus bank in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Friday Sept. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Nontas Stlianidis)

Greece: Man in Debt Lights Himself on Fire...For the Second Time (Warning — Graphic Photos)

Police officers rush to use a fire extinguishers as a man sets himself on fire outside a branch of Piraeus bank in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Friday Sept. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Nontas Stlianidis)

Greece: Man in Debt Lights Himself on Fire...For the Second Time (Warning — Graphic Photos)

A man lies down surrounded by police officers after setting himself on fire outside a branch of Piraeus bank in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Friday Sept. 16, 2011. The 56-year-old was hospitalized with non life-threatening chest burns. (AP Photo/Nontas Stlianidis)

Comments (131)

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  • SoCalWalt
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:52am

    That guy gives “carbon footprint” a whole new meaning.

    Report Post »  
    • Pujols
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:30pm

      Need a light?

      I CAN THINK OF 100 BETTER WAYS TO DIE. FIRE HURTS ALOT!

      Report Post »  
    • Banana Republic Capitalist
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 1:43pm

      LMAO @ “carbon footprint” :-)

      Report Post » Banana Republic Capitalist  
    • J4Y
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 2:48pm

      LOL SoCalWalt…

      …poor guy needs more than a medic after that stupid stunt, he needs a psychiatrist.

      Report Post » J4Y  
    • stanbeck
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 6:36pm

      That’s great……

      Report Post »  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 6:54pm

      Moral to the story. Don’t get yourself in debt. Learn to live responsibly, and with-in your own means, and get the hell off the public dole.

      Zero sympathy for any of those trolls over there.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • AZindependent
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 1:25am

      THE10TH are you talking about the guy, his bank, all banks, Greece, the EU, United States or the whole damn world? Kinda of hard to tell now a days when you talk about debt and living beyond your means. The whole financial world will come down like one of those slow motion demolition, implosions when they take big buildings down. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom and all that is left is ruble and a big cloud of dust. The whole “system” will come down with it. Politicians and banksters know it’s coming, but they delay and deny as long as possible. There is no TBTF, only the bigger they are the harder they fall. Prepare while you still can.

      Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 5:12am

      Still doesnt get the light bill paid…..idiot

      Report Post »  
    • simply one voice
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:49am

      THE10THAMENDMENT – Moral to the story: Grandiosity ALCOHOL DRIVEN?) covering inner tears of deep personal shame. Coming to a theatre near you very soon.

      Report Post » simply one voice  
    • Shildor
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:28am

      LOL – Good one

      Report Post »  
    • megalt
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:50am

      he bought some carbon offset from al gore

      Report Post »  
    • jkjk
      Posted on September 19, 2011 at 8:15am

      Opah !!!

      Report Post » jkjk  
  • sheria-never
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:42am

    Good grief, does this mean police officers carry fire extinguishers as part of their uniform??

    I hope he was a muz-lem

    Report Post » sheria-never  
  • Lars Skipole
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:41am

    Faster than a speeding SUV, more powerful than a private jet, able to leap inconvienent truths in a single bound…It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…..Algore’s henchman, CarbonMan

    Report Post »  
  • Biff Marupis
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:26am

    Think of the carbon footprint he’s making!

    Report Post » Biff Marupis  
    • robx
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 2:00pm

      I think that would be, carbon footprintS he is leaving behind, they are all over the ground there.

      Report Post » robx  
  • Wake up dems
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:20am

    I am sorry, but this man is not the victim, and though many of us know quite well how terrible debt and bankruptcy can be, this is not the behavior of a man simply ruined by bad decisions or a bad economy who now wants to end his life.

    1. He is standing outside a bank with a bullhorn. He is not sympathy case, he is a RADICAL PROTESTER!

    2. There is rioting. Policemen are nearby and they have fire extinguishers. He has clearly calculated correctly, for a second time, that he can make a huge political statement and rally the crowd (and people following the inevitable press coverage) by making this dramatic scene of lighting himself on fire without substantial risk of injury to himself.

    3. Look at his clothes. They are barely burned. I would bet his, “non-lifethreatening” burns to his chest are pretty minor.

    He did this before, he will do it again. WHY? Because he is protesting for more bailouts. The whole society reeks of bailouts, and in fact to be harsh, HE KNEW HE WOULD BE BAILED OUT OF THE SITUATION HE CREATED BY LIGHTING HIMSELF ABLAZE.

    Who has followed the planned day of rage for today? Do you think those protesters will be poor people down and out on their luck who feel they have been personally raped by the banks? Or do you think those people are part of the professional left, taking pictures of the destruction they cause with their expensive cell phones, and meeting later for a latte?

    This man is the same. A professional protester,

    Report Post »  
  • scuba13
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:02am

    Maybe next time he could wait until there isn’t any police or firefighters around to put him out.

    Report Post » scuba13  
    • Miami
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:22am

      Great point

      Report Post » Miami  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:40am

      Notice that the cops waited until he torched before they intervened and put him out.
      The camera was on him long before he lit up.

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 3:41pm

      masochist comes to mind….hey…this is the 2nd time around?? GEE….think he would of felt it the first time?

      Report Post » 8jrts  
  • BOMUSTGO
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:01am

    He was trying out to be the mascot for “The Blaze.”

    Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
  • randy
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:55am

    Well, if he thought he was in debt before, wait until he gets the next bill

    Report Post » randy  
  • Just South Of Heaven
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:53am

    Is there a chance he used those loans to invest in Solyndra?

    Report Post » Just South Of Heaven  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:14am

      Now THAT’S funny!

      I can not believe all the corruption that is coming to surface. If this isn’t a call for us to rise up & put our country on the right path, then we deserve what we get. Organization is fundamental.

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
    • Just South Of Heaven
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:28am

      “If this isn’t a call for us to rise up & put our country on the right path, then we deserve what we get. Organization is fundamental.”

      Yes, but that’s what Obama and the Media wants. For us to become like them with violence, verbal and physical. But we don’t need to, better to demonstrate peacefully, and use our votes as we have in the past 2 1/2 years. The Dems are starting to grow weary of Obama, the Media will have to follow to save face. Off topic, are you into metal music? I ask because of you name.

      Report Post » Just South Of Heaven  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:53am

    I can hear Ron Paul now on this deal.
    Let him burn! It’s a free country! It’s his constitutional right! Power to the people! Let the states decide if he can smoke!

    It must have been an enviromental hazard, pollution and all, so the EPA had the fire put out.
    He’s broke, but at least he will get free medical care so he can re-enter society as a poverty stricken lobster and probably try it again.

    MAN! This world stinks. What are we coming to that people burn themselves up over money??

    Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Jefferson
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:05am

      WHAT AN ABSURD THING TO WRITE. You are not “rational” at all. Ron Paul would NEVER say anything like that. You sound like the Lamestream Media, twisting words and putting them in other people’s mouths. Ron Paul NEVER said to “let the man die”.
      LOOK BUDDY….These riots are COMING to a neighborhood near you, and soon.
      Keep supporting Barbie and Ken Dolls, and the drugstore cowboy candidates, and this country is going to crash and burn like nothing you have ever seen. That is what the societal engineers WANT. They WANT to bring CHAOS so that they can bring in ORDER. A NEW WORLD ORDER.
      Only ONE man understands how to get this country out of the financial crisis that is almost here. He is the ONE MAN WHO PREDICTED IT, and has been the ONE MAN warning us about it for 25+ years.
      Last chance to get it right America, before we have riots in the streets like Greece and Egypt.
      Restore America Now
      Ron Paul 2012

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:45am

      LMBO!

      Just wind em up and watch em go!…..Pretty darn funny!!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:54am

      @Jefferson

      I’m being insensitive. I’m sorry….Please don’t set yourself on fire.

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Hoppy
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:55am

      What are we coming to when people as naive as you have computers?

      Report Post » Hoppy  
    • Jefferson
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 1:38pm

      @ Rassholenal Man
      You’re being manipulative, and twisting words to make it seem like Ron Paul said that, when it was just a few in the audience that screamed “yeah”, when the question was asked. Ron Paul said “NO”.
      Keep laughing. You won’t be in a couple of years. Mark my words. I hope your wake up call is especially painful.

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 2:58pm

      @Jefferson

      This is playing out even better than I thought, (very funny). The thought of that incident you keep refering to never crossed my mind until you mentioned it. The whole thing in my first post was just a joke and bait to draw someone like you out to go on one your Paulistinian rants. Just for laughs! Except the last line. That is sincere.
      You took the bait, hook line and sinker! I actually got the material for the post from Paulistinian posts on this site. I can‘t believe I have to tell you all of this and you couldn’t figure it out yourself. But nooo! You take it and run with it to the ninth degree and even reply to another guys post with your paraniod drivel. Believe it or not, the world doesn’t revolve around Ron Paul…..Really….it doesn’t!
      The only manipulation going on here is me getting you to make a fool of yourself. And it’s just too easy. The only one who doesn’t get it is you, and maybe some of your cult friends.
      Thanks for the amusment and have a nice day!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
  • Akbarjonnie Shaheed
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:52am

    Now presidente this is leadership! Get with the program!

    Report Post »  
  • ICANHANDLETHETRUTH
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:51am

    OUCH I bet that was painfull……… stupid is stupid does !!!!!!!!! Maybe they will ban all sales of gasoline in 1 gallon containers ……… LOL

    Report Post »  
    • Wake up dems
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:31am

      I kind of doubt this was too painful. Have you ever seen someone douse their hand with lighter fluid or gasoline, then light it, and wave their hand around for a few seconds before dunking it in water or otherwise extinguishing it (sometimes just by shaking the flames out)? They do this for shock effect, and because they know something very simple. Gasoline and lighter fluid are highly flammable. Your hand is not highly flammable (though clearly it can burn). The gasoline will burn of quickly, and while the gas is burning, you feel heat, but YOU ARE NOT BURNING. The key, of course, is in the timing. After the flame consumes the gas, you want to make sure you extinguish it before it moves on to burning your skin and flesh. This man clearly wanted to make a RADICAL, DRAMATIC protest (bullhorn in hand), and he clearly knew, much like the financial bailout he is rioting for, he would be bailed out quickly by a cop with a fire extinguisher. Rally the crowd, Embolden other protesters. Create a bigger disturbance, and then enjoy the press coverage of the liberal media spinning the government atrocities that are causing people so much anguish that they decide to light themselves on fire. And he can watch all of this free of charge, probably with not much pain (”non-lifethreatening chest burns) from a hospital room with sympathy and meals delivered at taxpayer expense. I am sorry, but I can’t feel sorry for a radical protester who lights himself on fire.

      Report Post »  
  • Mandors
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:51am

    He‘s got the money to buy gas and a bullhorn but can’t pay his bills? Hmmm.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • sissykatz
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:48am

    Poor man….. I really feel sorry for him. I can’t imagine a much more painful death or near death.
    He tried it twice….. I have a feeling he may just want to stay in the hospital. Burns are so very
    painful.Maybe guns are too hard to come by. I would have found another way if I indeed wanted
    to die.Especially if I had failed at doing it before.

    Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:57am

      Ya, you gotta be some kind of messed up that I don’t know about to do that twice.
      Being burned like that is some of the worse kind of pain there is. And it takes a long time to make it go away. It’s really troublesome to think that he did it over money.

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:11am

      He didn’t do it over money. He did it because he is mentally ill and wants attention. “Boo hoo, poor me, I can’t retire at 55 like I wanted to” (pour, splash, spark, “whooosh”, scream, run) Idiot.

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:04pm

      @Mil-Dot

      Anyway you look at it, it is about money. Even if it means he doesn’t have enough to “retire at 55”. and it’s sick. So you just came up with another way to express what I said.
      But you can take credit for it if you want…………..

      Report Post » Rational Man  
  • ONE PIECE
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:46am

    I’m a total failure in a lot of the things that I have done in my life,both personal & business. The one thing that I have always remember is that I can still get up, pull myself together again & try again! Dying & giving up is easy but living take guts! The harder it is the better it’ll be after achieving it. After all, we (I) would like to leave things better for our family & feature generation something to look forward to. To see that we did not give up or give in. That it was for them that we fought so hard for!! I hope that this person will get up, dust it off & go on again. Cause this is NO WAY to show the feature
    generation to come that when it gets tough you give up & do something like this!!

    Report Post » ONE PIECE  
    • junkmaninohio
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:52am

      Well said and good for you. Keep fighting.

      Report Post »  
    • travlman77
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 1:35pm

      I’m a total failure in a lot of the things that I have done in my life.

      Just because you fail or have set backs in life does not make you a failure,it‘s all about how you do or do not deal with those set backs that matters and you sound like you’re on the right track.

      Report Post » travlman77  
  • dadsrootbeer
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:46am

    Should be the poster boy for what happens when the government spends out of control. Coming soon to America. Thanks Obammy.

    Report Post » dadsrootbeer  
  • jungle J
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:41am

    he must be in debt to phychiarist

    Report Post »  
    • Jefferson
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:57am

      Maybe he felt like he had nothing left to lose. That what happens when people lose everything. They “lose it” mentally.
      It’s coming to a neighborhood near you, and soon.
      Keep supporting Barbie and Ken Dolls, and the drugstore cowboy candidates, and this country is going to crash and burn like nothing you have ever seen. That is what the societal engineers WANT. They WANT to bring CHAOS so that they can bring in ORDER. A NEW WORLD ORDER.
      Only ONE man understands how to get this country out of the financial crisis that is almost here. He is the ONE MAN WHO PREDICTED IT, and has been the ONE MAN warning us about it for 25+ years.
      Last chance to get it right America, before we have riots in the streets like Greece and Egypt.
      Restore America Now
      Ron Paul 2012

      Report Post »  
  • thetang
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:40am

    What an idiot? Absolutly a dumb ass! Watch him,he will try again,and then it will be too late?

    Report Post »  
  • mwhaley
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:40am

    Can’t fix stupid, apparently stupid is flammable.

    Report Post »  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:39am

    Poor guy‘s gonna’ need some Rogaine for hair loss, and some Grecian Formula 44 to get that ashen look out from what’s left.

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:39am

    Barry may consider this when the American people kick him to the curb next year.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • PunditPawn
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:38am

    He should have just come to the US. Obama would pay for all his debt, put him in free housing, cover all medical. Yes we can.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:35am

    Anyone remember back to the scene that undid Tunisia? One man torching himself in the ultimate protest of a dictatorial government so bad he felt taking his own life was the final freedom left to him?

    Greece is not a dictatorial government for now; the fact remains the same is that most people do try to pay their debts off, and this man is trying to make a point — his honor is gone for his failure to be able to pay off his debts…and he feels no one is listening or trying to make a difference.

    And according to the Drudge Report the US will be on the hook for most of the next massive sets of bailouts for the EU when they go under. One more failure and transformation of the USA Obama is shoving onto us.

    http://artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (cat folk art)

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • AntiLiberal74
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:34am

    Good cop. He remembered to avoid throwing water on a Greece fire…..

    Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:39am

      Thats a real good one there!…..Thanks for the belly laugh!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:40am

      That was good!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:41am

      Anti

      I tried I really tried to keep from laughing but I couldn’t. This story is nothing to laugh about.

      But your post was. lol

      Report Post »  
    • mwhaley
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:43am

      I’m still laughing!!

      Report Post »  
    • Rajabear1
      Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:59am

      Post of the day! thanks for the laugh, We need that more often in these disturbing times.

      Report Post »  
  • JediPatriot
    Posted on September 17, 2011 at 10:34am

    Didn’t anyone tell this guy not to trust banks? Why light yourself on fire?

    Report Post » JediPatriot  
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