In a bizarre twist of fate, a woman who happened to see another woman attempting self-immolation has died of shock at Dhangadhi-2 in Kailali.

Police said, 26-year-old Laxmi BK, who collapsed after seeing the attempted self-immolation bid by her neighbour Hema Ojha, 25, died during treatment at the Seti Zonal Hospital. Ojha, whose condition is said to critical, was referred to Nepalgunj for further treatment. She, however, was returned home due to financial constraints. According to police, Hema had tried to immolate herself at around 10:30 on Monday morning at Saraswati Tole in Dhangadhi.

Superintendent of Police Mohan Joshi said they are trying to establish the reason behind the self-immolation bid.

Joshi said they were not in a position to say anything about the incident as there were no relatives present with Ojha when the incident occurred. Joshi said an investigation into the matter is under way. Locals claimed that Ojha appeared to be mentally ill.