Student sets himself on fire over exam resit refusal

A 19 year old, who was refused permission to resit the Baccalaureat exam at his former secondary school in Oran in Algeria, set himself on fire on Tuesday.

Reuters/Stephane Mahe

Witnesses say the youth entered the Lycée Souiyah El Houari premises and stood in front of the staff room where he doused himself in petrol and used a cigarette lighter.

Several staff and students saw the incident and some fainted, according to the French language newspaper le Quotidien d'Oran.

A member of staff who went to help burnt his hands.

The student is now in hospital where his condition is described as critical.

Fellow students say the youth acted in a moment of desperation after his request to return to the school to retake his exam was refused.