Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News

A 16-year-old girl has been hospitalised in a serious condition after being beaten by a group of teens because she was popular on social media.

The alleged beating took place in Gloria Fuertes Park in the city of Meco in the central Spanish region of Madrid at around 8pm on 5th June.

Daniela Sabina Radu, the mother of the teen victim, identified as Maria Cristina, told the local newspaper Aqui Madrid that the last thing her daughter remembers is being knocked to the ground and kicked in the head.

While on the ground, the victim’s mother said that the group wheeled a bike over her head and slammed her head against a traffic light pole.

The violence continued until one of the victim’s friends, who unsuccessfully tried to stop the attack, called some adults over.

The Spanish Civil Guard told El Mundo that the incident is being investigated, and that officers are reviewing footage filmed by the aggressors on their phones.

The gang was aged between 12 and 16 years old although any suspects under the age of 14 cannot be charged under the current law, according to El Mundo.

The victim’s family members claimed the teen was attacked because she is popular on social media.

They added that Maria Cristina and her sister were insulted and threatened by several group members a few days before the attack for the same reason.

The teenager is being treated in the ICU at the Hospital de La Princesa in Madrid for a serious cerebral edema (swelling).

According to local newspaper El Espanol, the gang members are well known in the area for causing trouble and uploading clips of their activities and themselves on Instagram.

The police investigation is ongoing.