A Swedish tourist has died after being stung by a jellyfish while swimming near Tanjung Rhu beach in Langkawi yesterday afternoon.
Sixty-year-old Sohrabi Saeed was in the waters off of the resort island’s northern coast when he was attacked at about 3:15pm. A woman tried to perform CPR, but she was unable to revive the Swede.
Information as to what type of jellyfish could cause such a fatal reaction has not been released, and Saeed’s body is currently undergoing a post-mortem at Langkawi Hospital.
Jellyfish stings, while incredibly painful, rarely cause death in their victims. However, their venom can be triggered by the lightest of touch, and they release their toxin faster than a speeding bullet. Literally.
Several species of jellyfish can cause side effects leading to death, and multiple stings especially can cause shock, irregular heart beating, and impaired organ function.
Last year, authorities issued a warning on two species of deadly jellyfish being spotted in along Malaysia’s northwest coast, near Langkawi.
The deadly box jellyfish, previously not thought to exist in the area, began breeding in the seas near Penang. Their venom causes Irukandji Syndrome, which can lead to severe hypertension, extreme lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, intense cramps, breathing difficulty and heart failure.
Stay safe. Also, avoid this guy:
