China Wang in Chongqing poured gasoline on his chest and wrapped a firecracker around his waist after officials canceled his birthday party to prevent the corona virus.

Wang, 59, planned to celebrate his birthday with 10 tables on January 28 but officials have asked him to cancel the plan. On January 26, he threatened to set himself on fire at a local committee office to persuade officials.

"This action has prevented village officials from carrying out disease prevention," Xinhua reported today. The prosecutor brought criminal charges to Mr. Wang on February 11.

Chinese officials limit public gatherings to avoid spreading the virus. 1,115 people died, more than 45,000 became infected after the corona pneumonia outbreak (Covid-19) broke out in Wuhan since December 2019.