British man 'stabbed to death during online challenge' in Portugal

The unnamed 36-year-old's body was found in the middle of the forest near the town of Pedrogao Grande, local media reported. An unnamed 26-year-old, also understood to be British, has handed himself in to police.

Monday 25 September 2023 18:11, UK

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Image: Pedrogao Grande, Portugal. File pic
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A British man has reportedly been stabbed to death in Portugal while taking part in an online challenge.

The unnamed 36-year-old's body was found in the middle of a forest near the town of Pedrogao Grande, local media reported.

An unnamed 26-year-old, also understood to be British, has handed himself in to police.

He was among a group of three people who were being interviewed by police concerning the death.

A bladed weapon has also been recovered from the scene.

The group was reportedly playing an internet challenge believed to have started in Russia, which involves a series of often dangerous challenges and has been linked to numerous deaths around the world.

What is the Blue Whale Challenge?

Blue Whale is a teenage suicide challenge or "death group" that was said to have begun in Russia several years ago.

Though the full rules of the social media game are hard to come by, the "challenge" ultimately ends with an instruction to die by suicide.

Administrators of online groups give out a number of tasks to "players", typically thought to be around 50.

Some players have reported tasks such as telling administrators how they want to die, or stay up all night watching horror films.

One participant, who did not complete the task, told Sky News in 2017 that his ninth task was to jump off a 20-storey building in Moscow, with a promise he would be "happier, faster".

Local media said there was a disagreement during the game that ended in the death, citing a source from the Republican National Guard.

They reported the group of three people then went to a nearby police station to alert officers.

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Image: File pic

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The alleged killer was taken into custody and Portugal's Policia Judiciaria took over the investigation.

Those being questioned by police are thought to be part of a group of foreigners living in a nearby commune.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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