(Reuters) - A Tibetan youth has burned himself to death in southwestern China, the third self-immolation in three days, in what overseas Tibetan rights groups said reflects growing resentment against Beijing's policies in the Tibetan areas of China.
It was the 25th self-immolation in the past year, with at least 18 believed to have died from their injuries, according to rights groups.
The latest deaths were all lay people and not, as is often the case, Buddhist monks or former clergy. Rights groups said this reflects a wider frustration among ethnic Tibetans at China's tightening security measures in Tibetan areas.
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"This third self-immolation in as many days underlines that Tibetans will not stop protesting until their calls for freedom are heeded," Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said in an emailed statement.
"The international community must take immediate action."
Activists say China violently stamps out religious freedom and culture in Tibet, the mountainous region of western China which has been under Chinese control since 1950.