Distressing video appears to show a man set himself alight in front of horrified passers-by in Istanbul.
A clip shows the man engulfed in flames, prompting panicked as onlookers scramble to find a fire extinguisher.
Reports in Turkish media say it is unclear what prompted him to carry out the horrific act, and it is not known how seriously he was injured.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene.
It happened this afternoon in front of the historic Galata Tower in the Beyoglu district of the city.
The flames were put out by a fire extinguisher, and incredibly the man - who has not been identified - appeared to be able to speak with authorities after the shocking ordeal.
Footage shared online appears to show people taking selfies with the burning figure in the background.
A man and a woman are seen holding a phone aloft with their backs to the heartbreaking scene unfolding behind them.
It is claimed that the distressed man had been seen walking around with a sickle and gasoline in his hand for a long period before it happened, A3 reports.
One person rued on Twitter : "A person burned himself in front of the Galata tower because of what he had been through…
"While the event was taking place, there were children, those who took selfies, and those who drank their lemonade in the cafe.
"Where there were so many people and shopkeepers, there was no one to stop or prevent a person's desperation before the event."
The awful clip shows the man hold his arms aloft before dropping to his knees as huge flames rip through his body.
He then lies on the ground as people watch in disbelief.
A hero onlooker is shown emerging from a local cafe with a fire extinguisher, which is promptly used to put out the fire.
Paramedics and police arrived at the scene, and it is believed that the man was taken to hospital for treatment.
Authorities have not confirmed how serious the man's injuries were.
