Three siblings run away from home after father won’t let them play online game ‘Free Fire’
Three siblings from Surat, India, fled their home on Tuesday (19 May) morning after their father had stopped them from playing the online game Free Fire.
The trio, aged nine, 11 and 14, allegedly stole 15,000 rupees (S$200) from the house before leaving.
Authorities suspect they may have boarded a train to Mumbai.
They were reportedly addicted to mobile game ‘Free Fire’
Family members told police that the children had become heavily addicted to Free Fire, a popular online battle royale mobile game, often playing for long hours on their father’s mobile phone, reports India Today.
Source: Entrackr, for illustration purposes only.
The father had travelled to his native village late last month and left the phone at home, allowing the children to spend much of their time gaming.
When he returned, the mother expressed concern over their growing dependence on it.
Left home after their father took away phone
Three days before the children’s disappearance, the father locked the phone inside a cupboard and removed its SIM card, in an effort to curb their addiction.
Source: nemke on Canva, for illustration purposes only.
Police believe this restriction angered the young children, prompting them to leave home.
The family immediately reported the children missing.
Kids believed to have travelled to Mumbai
Police Inspector SD Rathod said police teams were formed to trace the siblings, with CCTV footage suggesting they may have travelled towards Mumbai by train.
Preliminary investigations indicate the children appear to be safe, and teams are monitoring railway stations and other possible locations.
Skipping meals and foregoing sleep
It is understood that the children were dropouts, having studied to a certain level of primary school, respectively.
Being home most of the time got them started on video games.
Over the last 18 months, they would skip sleep and take turns to play the game throughout the night, frequently missing meals too, the police said.
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Featured image adapted from Entrackr, for illustration purposes only.
