Zanzibar Tragedy: Sea Turtle Meat Consumption Leads to 9 Deaths and 78 Hospitalizations

A tragic incident occurred on Zanzibar’s Pemba Island where an adult along with eight children met their ultimate demise after consuming the meat of the sea turtle.

The Guardian reported that around 78 other individuals were also hospitalized after consuming the same turtle meat. This incident occurred on Saturday, 09 March 2024.

Dr Haji Bakari, the Mkoani district medical officer stated that later on Friday, an adult who died was the mother of one of the children.

The deceased woman consumed the turtle meat on Tuesday.

People got attacked from food poisoning after consuming the turtle meat. Thus, the situation took a life-threatening turn in moments.

In Zanzibar, sea turtle is regarded as a delicacy.

However, similar cases of chelonitoxism are seen occasionally after consuming turtle meat.

What is Chelonitoxism?

Chelonitoxism is a type of food that can occur due to the consumption of marine turtles in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

Bakari confirmed to the Associated Press that according to laboratory test reports, all the hospitalized victims had eaten the meat of a sea turtle.

Warnings Issued Over Sea Turtle Meat Delicacy

A disaster management team was sent by the Zanzibar authorities to persuade people to avoid eating sea turtles.

The Guardian also reported that this is not the first time such an incident occurred after consuming the sea turtle meat.

Previously, seven people met their ultimate demise after eating turtle meat on Pemba Island in November 2021. The death list included a 3-year-old child as well.