Three people die, 74 more fall sick in Tanzania after eating turtle meat
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E-mail Xinhua, October 13, 2022
DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least three people have died and 74 others have fallen sick after eating turtle meat suspected to be poisonous in Tanzania's southern region of Lindi, an official said Wednesday.
Khery Kagya, the Lindi regional medical officer, said the victims ate the suspected poisonous turtle meat in the Indian Ocean coastal village of Rushungu in Kilwa district a week ago. Fishermen in the village sold the turtle meat to unsuspecting villagers who fell sick a few hours after they had eaten the meat, said Kagya.
He said the dead were one adult and two children, adding that three of the villagers were in critical condition receiving intensive care at the Sokoine government hospital.
Kagya said after they had eaten the meat, the villagers started vomiting continuously with others experiencing stomachaches.
Pili Mande, the Lindi regional police commander, said police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The government has banned eating turtle meat for conservation reasons but some unscrupulous fishers sell it illegally. Some turtles are poisonous. Enditem
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