Argentinian Girl,12, Dies After Attempting Viral TikTok Choking Challenge

A 12-year-old Argentine girl passed away on January 13 after she attempted the deadly "choking challenge" popularised on TikTok. The girl, identified as Milagros Soto, had been found dead in her home after allegedly participating in the viral "chocking challenge." The preteen was discovered hanging from a makeshift noose, according to local reports.

This bizarre challenge is also called the "blackout challenge." This life-threatening stunt encourages thrill-seekers to asphyxiate themselves until passing out. Experts have warned that the viral trend is potentially dangerous and can result in fainting, seizures, brain damage, and worse.

"We are inconsolable we gave her so much love," the victim’s aunt, Laura Luque, told Jam Press.

Teen Dies Attempting TikTok Choking Challenge

Apparently, Soto had tried this challenge twice successfully but failed to remove the noose on the third attempt, according to reports. "On the third occasion, she could not remove the rope from her neck," said Luque, which was reportedly captured on camera.

Soto’s motivation for attempting this self-destructive stunt is unclear as of now. However, her aunt Luque claimed that Soto had received a WhatsApp message with the link to the challenge after being bullied at school. "I believe someone encouraged her to do it. She suffered a lot from bullying," said her aunt, who was heartbroken.

"She told us no one wanted her at school because she was pretty with blonde hair," her aunt added.

Her aunt also said that she harboured many doubts about everything that happened to her because she was a very smart girl.

Authorities have launched a probe to try and get to the bottom of this girl’s demise. The community is devastated by Soto’s loss. "We support our student’s family in this terrible moment," said a spokesperson from her school. They described the deceased as "a great student, friend, sweet, good, and kind."

Soto isn’t the first teen to pass away from deadly online stunts. Two teenagers, Leon Brown, 14, and Archie Battersbee, 12, from the UK, allegedly lost their lives due to the same viral challenge.

TikTok is now facing wrongful death lawsuits after two girls from California lost their lives by hanging themselves while attempting the "blackout challenge." TikTok has not responded yet, but earlier they had denied responsibility for the ongoing incidents of "choking game" injuries among young people that long predate the blackout challenge.

TikTok users have been encouraged to flag anybody engaging in the challenge by clicking on the symbol that reads "Report."

Suggested Reading: Flight Attendant’s Old TikTok Goes Viral After Tragic Nepal Plane Crash