Ambon (ANTARA) – Saparua Police Chief, Ambon Island Police and PP Lease, AKP Yopy Walalayo confirmed that three residents in Negeri Haria, Saparua District, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku died due to poisoning after consuming puffer fish on Tuesday (5/3/2024 ).
“This pufferfish or buntek, aka fugu, is very poisonous,” said the Sector Police Chief in a release received in Ambon, Wednesday.
The victim who died due to poisoning was Mrs. Lenny Latuperissa (28) with his two young daughters, namely Keisya Berhitu (5) and two year old Chrismen Berhitu.
According to witness Steven Berhitu, who is the victim’s husband and father, to the police, at around 08.30 WIT the witness and his wife and children were at home at that time.
“At that time, the witness was frying fish for the victim to eat before going to the river,” said the police chief.
Because she was in a hurry to go to the river, the victim Mrs. Lenny and his two children ate puffer fish, especially the eggs which had been fried last night.
Then at around 08.50 WIT, the deceased and his children Keisya and Frans Berhitu went to the river, while the victim Chrismen Berhitu stayed with the witness at home.
A few minutes later, Chrismen complained to her father Steven that her body had suddenly become weak, but the witness thought it was a normal problem.
At around 09.40 WIT, a resident named Mrs. Mimi also brings Mrs. Lenny got out of the river because he was already weak.
“The witness’s wife told her husband Steven to immediately take them to the hospital because apart from feeling weak, her mouth and throat also felt sore,” explained the police chief, citing the witness’ statement.
So a number of residents helped evacuate the three victims to the Saparua Regional Hospital at 10:00 WIT but their lives could not be saved and they died at around 12:00 WIT.
The victim’s husband accepted the death of his wife and two children as an accident and refused to carry out an autopsy. Three residents, a mother and two daughters, died due to poisoning after consuming fried pufferfish eggs. (6/3/HO/Posek Saparua) (ANTARA/HO-Posek Saparua)