Zanzibar, Tanzania — Eight children and an adult died after eating sea turtle meat on Pemba Island in the Zanzibar archipelago, while 78 other people were hospitalized, authorities said Saturday.

In November 2021, the BBC reported, seven people died and three others were hospitalized on Pemba after eating turtle meat. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY.

The turtle was butchered and drained, then a stock was made with its organ meat, pork and veal knuckles, onions, turnips, carrots, and spices including bay leaves and allspice.

The adult who perished from eating the turtle meat on Friday was the mother of one of the children who had lost their lives, said Dr. Haji Bakari, the medical officer for Mkoani District.

Sea turtle meat is considered a delicacy by Zanzibar's people even though it periodically results in deaths from chelonitoxism, a type of food poisoning.

In November 2021, seven people, including a 3-year-old, died on Pemba after eating turtle meat while three others were hospitalized.