Nine people, including eight children, have died in Tanzania as a result of sea turtle meat poisoning, the Associated Press reported. Another 78 people were hospitalized.
The tragedy occurred on the island of Pemba near Zanzibar. It is clarified that sea turtle meat is considered a delicacy among the residents of Zanzibar, but its consumption often leads to death from chelonitoxicism.
According to local doctors, laboratory tests confirmed that it was sea turtle meat that caused the deaths. Zanzibar authorities have sent a disaster relief team to the island.
Residents and tourists are urged to avoid eating turtle meat.