A rights group says thousands of Tibetans have gathered around a monastery

A rights group says thousands of Tibetans have gathered around a monastery in western China where a Buddhist nun set herself on fire this week in apparent protest against Chinese rule.

The 35-year-old Buddhist nun died Thursday after setting herself on fire in predominantly Tibetan Ganzi prefecture in Sichuan province.

New York-based Students for a Free Tibet says around 10,000 Tibetans from Sichuan gathered around the Tawu Nyitso monastery Sunday to pay respects to the nun. A statement by the group also says the streets are filled with Chinese security personnel.

The local government and police either said they were not aware of the gathering or did not answer the phone. Residents contacted by phone said there was no big police presence.

Associated Press