Philippines food vlogger Emma Amit dies after eating poisonous ‘Devil Crab’ in Palawan

A food vlogger in the Philippines has died after filming herself eating a highly poisonous species of crab for social media.

Emma Amit, 51, was rushed to the hospital after consuming the toxic Zosimus aeneus crab, which is commonly known as the “Devil Crab”, and died two days later. A friend who also ate the crab during the same meal also died.

The incident occurred in Puerto Princesa, in the province of Palawan, where Amit lived.

Video posted to her social media account on February 4 shows her collecting shellfish and crabs near the shoreline close to her home before cooking and eating one of the crabs on camera.

Barangay Chief Laddy Gemang told Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN that Amit lost consciousness shortly after eating the crab and was taken to the hospital, where she later died.

Authorities subsequently visited her home and found seven crab shells at the property.

The Zosimus aeneus species contains a potent combination of toxins that can be fatal when ingested. It is regarded as the most poisonous crab found in the Philippines, with officials estimating that roughly half of reported cases result in death. The species is found across parts of the Indo-Pacific region.

Amit’s social media pages frequently documented her fishing trips with her husband and the meals she prepared for her family after foraging along the coast.

Following the deaths, local officials issued a renewed warning to residents about the dangers posed by the crab.

“Be careful not to eat this devil crab because it is deadly,” Chief Gemang said.

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

Authorities continue to urge locals to remain vigilant and avoid consuming unfamiliar or potentially toxic marine life.