Khorramshahr City Hall has expressed regret over the news that Younes Asakereh, a street vendor who set himself on fire in front of the city offices, made headlines across the country. Asakereh reportedly had been forbidden from continuing his business following a city decision to clear out street vendors.

IRNA reports that Khorramshahr City Hall issued a statement on Monday March 16, urging the residents of the city “to appeal to superiors in case of any complaints about city actions” in order to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

Khoramshahr city officials recently began clearing out street vendors, and last Wednesday Younes Asakereh’s gear was confiscated and he was prevented from doing business as he has done for the 15 years at the Khoramshahr Day Market.

IRNA writes that Asakereh had repeatedly appealed to City Hall but was refused help. On Saturday March 14, he doused himself in gasoline in front of City Hall and set himself on fire. He is said to have suffered burns to 70 percent of his body and be in grave condition.

A high unemployment rate remains Khuzestan Province’s chief problem, with some reports indicating a high percentage of the workforce in the province is without a job.

Radio Zamaneh