TALLINN - The central county of Jarva was unwittingly thrown into the national spotlight after two individuals attempted to immolate themselves, with one dying, in less than three days into the new year.
On New Year's Eve, 57-year-old Laili Taimla, a sports instructor in the Paide school and spouse of Reform Party MP Andres Taimla, poured car fuel over herself and then set herself on fire near her home.
MP Taimla and their daughter attempted to put out the fire but to no avail. Laili Taimla died in the Jarva county hospital on Jan. 2.
The MP was hospitalized in Tallinn with serious burns. He told the Postimees daily that his wife had tried to commit suicide before.
He claimed she was upset about a confession he made earlier this year that he had two illegitimate children aged five and eight.
The MP admitted that his political career would definitely be affected by the tragic incident.
On what is believed to be an unrelated incident, 17-year-old Erko also set himself on fire with gasoline in the village of Kasukonna on Jan.3, police reported.
According to official reports, 17-year-old Marju, a passer-by, also received burns after trying to put out the fire. Erko, who suffered burns on 45 percent of his body, was severely injured and relocated from a regional Jarva hospital to a hospital in Tallinn. Police are investigating both incidents.
