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Food influencer dies days after filming herself eating poisonous 'devil crab'
Filipino food vlogger Emma Amit has died after consuming a poisonous crab in a video shared on social media. She was 51.
Amit passed away on Feb. 6, two days after filming herself eating the toxic Zosimus aeneus crab, locally known as the “Devil Crab.” The footage was posted to her social media account on Feb. 4 and showed her preparing and eating the seafood near her seaside home in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
According to Barangay Chief Laddy Gemang, Amit lost consciousness shortly after consuming the crab and was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead two days later. A friend who also ate the crabs died as well.
What happened in the viral video
In the clip shared online, Amit is seen gathering poisonous crabs along with snails and shellfish close to her home by the sea. She later filmed herself cooking the crab in a pot before eating it on camera.
Gemang told ABS-CBN that the content creator became unconscious soon after eating the crab. She was taken to a hospital for treatment but did not survive. Authorities later visited her home to investigate and found seven crab shells at the residence, according to ABS-CBN.
Amit frequently posted videos of fishing trips with her husband in their hometown and showed herself preparing meals for their children after returning from hunting excursions.
Officials warn residents about deadly crab
Following Amit’s death, Gemang urged residents in the area to avoid consuming the species.
“Be careful not to eat this devil crab because it is deadly," he said, per ABS-CBN. "It is very dangerous to eat this type of crab because it can kill you in a matter of hours.”
The Zosimus aeneus crab contains a mix of toxins that can be lethal when ingested. It is considered the most poisonous crab in the Philippines, with 50% of cases proving fatal. According to iNaturalist, the species is found across the Indo-Pacific region.
Investigation and official response
Local officials examined Amit’s residence as part of their inquiry into the incident. The discovery of multiple crab shells at the home was confirmed by ABS-CBN.