The BBC has been slammed for making a computer game simulating the terrifying ordeal Syrian refugees face as they try to flee their war-torn country.
Players of the online game are tasked with escaping Syria – which has been ravaged by civil war and the rise of ISIS – and making it into Europe.
The Syrian Journey game, which is available on the BBC website, often leads to players dying and was criticised by experts for turning the suffering of millions into a ‘children’s game’.
Players choose a male or female character before attempting to flee Syria, either via Turkey or Egypt, as they make difficult decisions about whether to travel by land or sea.
Grim outcomes include being separated from your family by human traffickers, women being sold between militia groups, and refugees being beaten over the head and hurled into the Mediterranean from packed migrant ships.
Middle East expert Chris Walker told The Sun: ‘In the midst of probably the bloodiest Syrian crisis this century, the decision of the BBC to transform the human suffering of literally millions into a children’s game beggars belief.’
Twitter users reacted furiously to the game, which appeared on the BBC site last Wednesday.
One wrote: ‘The BBC news page has an interactive journey on the decisions you make as a Syrian migrant trying to flee the country…sickening.’
Another user, Matt Sterling, said: ‘WTF is this from the BBC, interactive game about escaping from Syria. Such bad taste.’
James Burke wrote: ‘Unsure if decision based “game” is April Fool or not.’
The Syrian conflict has led to the deaths of up to 300,000 people since it began more than four years ago.
Millions have fled to escape the violence, seeking shelter in overflowing refugee camps in bordering countries as well as making perilous journeys to the safety of Europe by land and sea.
The game could have cost as much as £20,000, but the BBC insist it was made in-house.
A spokesman for the corporation said: ‘It shows audiences the choices faced by thousands of Syrian families every day. The project has achieved over a million online hits a week.’