Refugee dies from burns

AN Iranian immigrant who doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire in central Amsterdam has died of his injuries, police said.

A statement said the 36-year-old’s bid to secure a residency in Holland was rejected before the incident.

Photos of the dramatic event began to circulate via social media and websites minutes after it occurred in front of the historic National Monument in Dam Square.

One showed the victim on his back, engulfed in flames, while people tried to put out the fire with their coats.

The statement said that the victim was given first aid and taken to a burns centre, but never regained consciousness.

The Dutch have increased restrictions on immigration over the past decade amid growing anti-Muslim sentiment.