Two Foreign Workers Hospitalized in Intensive Care After Pufferfish Poisoning in Wando

Laotian Workers in Their Twenties Lose Consciousness After Eating Pufferfish
Language Barrier Hampers Investigation Into Circumstances
Fire Authorities: "Investigating Possibility of Poisoning"

Two foreign workers in Wando, South Jeolla Province, were hospitalized after showing symptoms of poisoning following the consumption of pufferfish.

According to the Wando Fire Department on December 15, a report was received at around 11:14 p.m. the previous day from a village in Saengil-myeon, Wando County, South Jeolla Province, stating that "two foreign workers had lost consciousness." The 119 emergency rescue team dispatched to the scene found two Laotian workers in their twenties, identified as A and B, and rushed them to a nearby hospital.

It was reported that A was unconscious when found, while B was experiencing irregular breathing. Both individuals were transferred to a hospital in Mokpo and are currently being treated in the intensive care unit.

According to fire authorities, the two had dinner together at around 5 p.m. on the same day, during which one of them cooked and served pufferfish. However, the exact species of pufferfish, how it was obtained, and which parts were consumed have not yet been determined.

This incident was first reported to the fire department, and a formal report has not yet been filed with the police. Authorities are reportedly having difficulty determining the exact circumstances of the incident due to language barriers.

A fire department official stated, "It is possible that access to safety information was limited due to language barriers," and added, "We believe they showed symptoms of pufferfish poisoning and are investigating the exact circumstances of consumption."

Pufferfish contains tetrodotoxin, a deadly toxin concentrated in certain parts of the fish. By law, only licensed professional chefs are permitted to prepare pufferfish.