Filipino food vlogger dies after eating poisonous ‘devil crab’ in viral video

A Filipino food vlogger has died after eating a poisonous crab in a video she shared online.

Emma Amit, 51, passed away on Feb. 6, two days after consuming the toxic Zosimus aeneus, locally known as the “Devil Crab,” at her seaside home in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Footage posted to Amit’s social media on Feb. 4 shows her hunting the crabs along with snails and other shellfish before cooking and eating one from a pot. 

Barangay Chief Laddy Gemang told ABS-CBN that Amit lost consciousness shortly after eating the crab and was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A friend who also ate the crabs reportedly died.

Officials later visited Amit’s home and found seven crab shells, according to ABS-CBN. The Zosimus aeneus contains a combination of deadly toxins, with about half of poisoning cases proving fatal. 

The crab is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, according to iNaturalist.

Amit frequently shared videos of fishing with her husband and preparing meals for her children following hunting trips.

Following her death, Gemang urged residents to be cautious. “Be careful not to eat this devil crab because it is deadly,” he said. 

“It is very dangerous to eat this type of crab because it can kill you in a matter of hours.”