Tragedy Strikes: Fatalities and Hospitalizations Linked to Sea Turtle Meat Consumption in Zanzibar

Nine people, including eight children, have died and 78 others have been hospitalized in Zanzibar after consuming sea turtle meat, which is considered a delicacy despite its potential for causing chelonitoxism, a type of food poisoning. Authorities have confirmed that all the victims had eaten sea turtle meat, and a disaster management team has been dispatched to urge people to avoid consuming it. This is not the first incident of its kind, as a similar case in November 2021 resulted in seven deaths and hospitalization of three others.