Tragedy struck in South Korea when an 82-year-old man was pronounced dead after choking on a local delicacy known as "live octopus." The incident occurred on Monday in the city of Gwangju, located in the southern part of the country.

When a piece of Sannakji became lodged in the man's throat, authorities from the local fire station in Gwangju were alerted promptly. First responders arrived at the scene to find the man in cardiac arrest due to choking. Despite their efforts to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation), they were unable to save him, and he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident in South Korea. According to reports, there have been several deaths from asphyxiation related to the consumption of live octopus.

The dish, called Sannakji, is a South Korean specialty made from raw octopus seasoned with salt and sesame oil. What makes it unique is that the octopus is served with its tentacle pieces still twitching or squirming, creating a thrilling culinary experience. However, this unique preparation can carry serious risks.

The octopus used in Sannakji is typically killed before serving, with its tentacles cut into portions. However, it is served immediately after slicing, leading to continued nerve activity in the tentacles, causing them to appear alive and move on the plate.

There's a reason why Sannakji has garnered a reputation as one of the world's most dangerous foods.

Source: NDTV