Khaberni - Filipino food blogger Emma Amit, aged 51, passed away after consuming the poisonous Devil’s crab during a social media video shoot.
According to the "Daily Mail," the incident occurred at Emma's coastal home in Palawan province, and authorities issued warnings to the locals against consuming unfamiliar seafood.
Emma, who was a skilled hunter and well-known food blogger in her region, was filming a video with her friends in an algae forest near the city of Puerto Princesa on February 4. The footage shows her and her friends gathering clams and crabs, then cooking them, including sea snails, in a large pot filled with coconut milk. During the video, she was seen tasting the food passionately.
The next day, Emma experienced a severe health setback due to the neurotoxins from the crab entering her bloodstream. Neighbors mentioned she had convulsions when she was transported to a local health center, and later transferred to the hospital after her condition worsened, where her lips were noted to be blue. Despite treatment efforts, she died on February 6.
Village officials discovered colored crab shells in the waste at Emma’s house, confirming the presence of these poisonous crustaceans. Lady Jamang, head of the Luzviminda village, expressed his shock at her death, noting that both Emma and her husband were experienced hunters and were aware of the dangers of the Devil's crab.
The official urged residents to exercise extreme caution, confirming that at least two deaths in Puerto Princesa were linked to these poisonous crabs.
Devil's crab
The Devil’s crab, also known as the poisonous coral crab, inhabits the coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific region. Its flesh and shells contain powerful neurotoxins, including tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin, which remain potent even after hours of cooking.
These crabs are characterized by their dark, red or cream-colored shells with red or brown markings, making them visually appealing but deadly.
