AN INFLUENCER has died after eating a venomous crustacean known as a “devil crab.”
Emma Amit, 51, chewed on the rare animal before collapsing at her house in the Palawan province of the Philippines.
Emma reportedly gorged on the poisonous crustaceans for a social media stuntCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
She had been fishing for crabs with her friendsCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
The group prepared a soup with the crustaceansCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Footage shows the food vlogger lifting the crab to her mouth and then gorging on it with a smile on her face – but it is unclear if she knew about its toxicity.
Emma and her friends had been hunting shellfish and crabs in a mangrove forest near her house on February 4.
It took less than 24 hours before the mother fell gravely ill as the potent cocktail of neurotoxins flooded her bloodstream.
Neighbours said she was convulsing as she was rushed to a local health centre.
Emma was later taken to a hospital when her health took a critical turn.
She was pronounced dead on February 6 – just two days after she ate the crab.
Laddy Gemang, chief of Luzviminda village, urged locals to not “gamble” with their lives by eating the crab.
He said he was confused by the influencer’s death as she and her husband were both experienced fishers.
“This is really saddening because they should have known,” he said. “She and her husband, they are both fisherfolk.
“They live by the sea, so I know they know about this devil crab that’s dangerous to eat. So why did she eat it? That is what I’m confused about.”
Gemang said that village officers were sent to Emma’s home to look into the case.
Brightly coloured shells of the devil crabs were found discarded among her rubbish.
“I saw the shells, there were around eight. I don’t know if all of them were devil crabs, but they all looked alike,” he added.
“So to the residents of Puerto Princesa, I am urging you to be doubly vigilant.
“Do not eat these dangerous devil crabs because they have claimed two lives here in our town. Don’t gamble with your lives.”
Devil crabs, also known as toxic reef crabs, are a species of crab that live on coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific region.
It is considered the most poisonous crab in the Philippines, with half of the intoxication cases being fatal.
The mother died two days after eating the crabCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
She was taken to hospital but medics could not do anything to save herCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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