Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

This shocking images show a coal merchant whose clothes have melted and whose body was horrifically burned after he set himself on fire during a petty row with council officials about where he could sell his sacks of coal.

The victim, father-of-two Suleyman Ekici, 63, was so badly burned when he set himself on fire that he later died in hospital.

He had been stacking bags of coal on unused waste ground in the district of Marmaris in the south-western Turkish province of Mugla last week.

However, Marmaris municipal officials arrived on the scene to instruct the coal seller to remove his bags on Monday, 17th January, leading to an argument.

During the row, Ekici grabbed a petrol can from his car, poured the contents over himself, and reportedly set himself ablaze in front of the stunned council officials.

The 63-year-old man started running around in pain, and a nearby witness managed to wrap a blanket over him to extinguish the flames.

In the footage, Ekici is seen talking to the two officials shortly after setting himself ablaze, saying: “The council’s duty is to help people, not drive them to suicide. If I die, Marmaris Council is to blame.”

Paramedics arrived on the scene and took Ekici to Marmaris District State Hospital by ambulance.

Ekici, who suffered second- and third-degree burns all over his body, was then transferred to the private Lokman Hekim Esnaf Hospital due to his life-threatening condition.

Ekici, who had two children, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, 18th January.

The police took statements from the two officials and two unnamed witnesses after gathering evidence at the scene.

The police investigation continues.