Blue Whale: The sick online game linked to 130 suicides in Russia

An online game that encourages players to follow a sinister set of instructions over 50 days has been linked with more than 130 suicides in Russia in the last six months.

The game, known as the 'blue whale', hit the headlines once again after two teenage girls plunged to their deaths from a 14 storey building in the city of Krasnoyarsk, Siberia on Sunday. According to the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, the deaths of Yulia Konstantinova (15) and her friend Veronika Volkova (16) are being investigated by state investigators in Krasnoyarsk, east of Moscow. Konstantinova reportedly posted a picture of a blue whale before posting the word ‘End’ on her page on the social media network Vkontakte. Volkova is said to have posted the worlds ‘sense is lost…End’. While it is not known who is behind the disturbing commands, distributed through social media, teenagers have been ordered to carve the shape of a whale on their arms and legs, wake up at 4.20am to listen to specific songs and spend entire days watching horror movies. On day 50, vulnerable players are commanded to take their own lives. Last year, Novaya Gazeta reported: "We have counted 130 suicides of children that took place between November 2015 to April 2016. Almost all these children were members of the same internet groups and lived in good, happy families. We know absolutely for sure is that adults are working with children, with the help of knowledge of their habits and passions, using their favorite language and culture." The investigation continues. If you are affected by this story or are experiencing bullying or worrying online behaviour of any kind, contact the Gardaí or call the Samaritans, free from any phone, on 116 123. Main image: Yulia Konstantinova/ social media