Food influencer dies after reportedly eating toxic ‘devil crab’ for video

A Philippine woman reportedly died after eating a poisonous reef crab for a social media post

A 51-year-old food influencer in the Philippines has reportedly died after consuming a poisonous crustacean known as a “devil crab” while filming a social media video.

Emma Amit, from Puerto Princesa in Palawan, gathered shellfish from a mangrove forest on Feb. 4 and cooked them in coconut milk, according to local reports. She allegedly ate the toxic crab as part of the seafood dish.

The next day, she became seriously ill and reportedly suffered convulsions while being taken to a clinic. Her condition worsened, and she died on Feb. 6 despite medical efforts.

Village officials later found discarded bright-colored crab shells at her home. The Indo-Pacific reef crab is known to contain powerful neurotoxins, including saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin, the same poison found in pufferfish — which can cause paralysis and death within hours.

Authorities are urging residents not to eat the dangerous species and are monitoring others who shared the meal for symptoms.