Mother And 2 Toddlers In Maluku Died Of Burtal Fish Poisoning

Three residents who were mothers and two girls died from poisoning after eating fried fish eggs. (ANTARA/HO-Saparua Police)

AMBON - Saparua Police Chief, Ambon Island Police and Lease PP, AKP Yopy Walalayoyo confirmed three residents in Haria Country, Saparua District, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku died from poisoning after consuming Buntal fish.

"Butal fish or bundles, aka fuguini, are very toxic," said the police chief, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, March 6.

The victims who died from poisoning were Lenny Latuperissa (28) and her two young daughters, Keisya Berhitu (5) and Chrismen Berhitu, who was two years old.

According to witness Steven Berhitu, the husband and father of the victim told the police, at around 08.30 WIT the witness and his wife and children were at home at the time.

"The witness at that time fried fish to eat the victim before going to the river," said the police chief.

Because he was in a hurry to go to the river, victim Lenny and his two children ate buctal fish, especially in the part of the egg that had been fried since last night.

Then at around 08.50 WIT, the deceased and their children Keisya and Frans Berhitu went to the river. Meanwhile, the victim Chrismen Berhitu lives with the witness at home.

A few minutes later Chrismen complained about his suddenly weak body condition to Steven's father, but the witness thought it was a normal problem.

At around 09.40 WIT, a resident named Mimi also brought Lenny home from the river because he was already weak.

"The witness's wife had told her husband, witness Steven, to immediately take them to the hospital because apart from feeling weak, the mouth and concavity also hurt," explained the police chief quoting witness testimony.

A number of residents helped evacuate the three victims to Saparua Hospital at 10.00 WIT but their lives could not be saved and died at around 12.00 WIT.

The victim's husband accepted the death of his wife and two children as a disaster and refused an autopsy.