This horrifying footage shows the shocking moment a trade union leader in Mongolia sets himself alight to protest against the proposed sale of the country's coal mining industry to China.

The unnamed trade unionist had called for a press conference in which he and others told the media about the appalling problems faced by miners in Mongolia.

In a short mumbled statement he said: 'The government no longer supports our company, families of the workers are forced to starve, this is why I will burn myself for the people of Mongolia and our children.'

He poured liquid on his suit before setting himself alight as the startled press pack reacted with horror to the unfolding drama.

The union leader had called a press conference to explain his misgivings about Mongolia selling part of its mining industry to China - after a mumbled statement he then poured liquid on himself

He then set himself on fire in front of the shocked press pack in Ulaanbaatar in north-eastern Mongolia

There were screams as his fellow union members ripped off their jackets and immediately started beating the flames from the man lying in agony on the floor.

After a terrifying minute, the blaze was finally put out with a fire extinguisher.

Amid the chaos, some members of the press snatched their microphones from the stand while others remained to record the shocking incident.

The man suffered serious burns and was rushed to hospital. He is currently in a critical condition.

Critical: The burning man first of all stood up screaming and then collapsed on the floor seconds later

His fellow unionists started beating him with their jackets as they desperately tried to put out the fire

The room was taken off by thick smoke as the men frantically tried to stop the fire raging

After a horrifying minute, the fire was finally stopped when the man was sprayed with a fire extinguisher

The union leader was protesting about the treatment of miners working for Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, which has 39 coal mines in Mongolia.

Unionists fear the sale to China could bring make things even worse as the Chinese could bring in their own staff to operate the mines.

Mongolia, the landlocked country between China and Russia, is considering the sale of stakes in ten state-owned companies - including part of its £4bn Tavan Tolgoi mine - as it tries to shore up investor support for its flagging economy.