SAUDI ARABIA

‘Blue Whale’ claims life of Saudi boy

June 30, 2018
Challenges in the deadly game begin with self-harm, leading up to the final challenge, which is suicide.
Challenges in the deadly game begin with self-harm, leading up to the final challenge, which is suicide.

JEDDAH — A Saudi boy committed suicide on Thursday due to the "Blue Whale" game, the latest victim of the game in the Arab world after a series of similar suicides took place in different Arab countries recently.

Abdullah Bin Fahid said to Al-Arabiya English that his uncle's son who is under 12 years of age got carried away by the "Blue Whale" game and strangled himself, leading to his immediate death.

He said some friends revealed that the boy was involved in a competition and that security officials were investigating.

The deadly game requires players to go through 50 challenges over 50 days. The challenges begin with self-harm, leading up to the final challenge, which is suicide by hanging or jumping off a high building.

Abdullah Bin Fahid’s tweet on the incident went viral on social media, calling on the concerned authorities to raise awareness and counsel children on the dangers of the game. — Al-Arabiya English


June 30, 2018
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