KENYA BROADCASTING CORPORATION (Nairobi) 02 January 08 Three die after sea turtle meal (Rose Kamau)
Three people died and two others were admitted at the Malindi District Hospital in critical condition after feasting on the meat of a Sea Turtle.
The victims from Ngomeni area, some of them fishermen, are said to have eaten the meat of the endangered marine creature whose hunting has been banned under the Wildlife Act and which is under protection by a number of conservation groups.
One of the deceased villagers, identified as Mohammed Sura was buried early Tuesday while those admitted to hospital are responding well to medication.
Mr. Mbwaraji Shee, a relative of Mr. Mohammed Mwaraji and Mdaris Adi, told the press at the District Hospital that his kin ate the meat of a sea animal but added that he did not know what kind of animal they had eaten.
"I was away on a fishing expedition, but when I returned home, I was informed that my uncle and nephew had eaten poisonous sea food. We rushed them to Marereni dispensary but they were referred to the District Hospital," he said.
Those admitted are both seasoned fishermen while it is not clear whether the three deceased persons, who included a young boy, were also fishermen.
Three die after sea turtle meal