An elderly man in South Korea died of a heart attack after choking on a ”live octopus” dish, that is served as a local delicacy, the Independent reported. The incident happened on Monday in South Korea’s southern city of Gwangju when the 82-year-old man was relishing the delicacy. Notably, the dish named Sannakji comprises octopus seasoned with salt and sesame oil and served while the tentacle pieces are often still twitching or squirming.

However, when a sannakji became stuck in the man’s throat, fire station authorities in Gwangju were promptly alerted. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found the man in a state of cardiac arrest while choking. They initiated CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) but were unable to save him.

He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

This is not the first time such a death has occurred from the consumption of live octopus.

As per the Korea Herald, three died of asphyxiation from eating live octopus between 2007 and 2012, two others died in 2013 and a man in his 70s died in 2019.

Though the dish’s name translates to ‘live octopus’, the octopus is actually killed before serving, with its tentacles cut into portions, CNN reported. But it is served immediately after slicing, resulting in active nerve activity in the tentacles. That’s why the tentacles continue to wriggle on the plate for some time, causing it to appear alive.

Sannakji has also been described as among the world’s most dangerous foods, alongside the likes of poisonous pufferfish and bullfrogs.

Despite the risks, the dish is hugely popular in the country and many YouTubers and content creators are often seen sharing videos of themselves trying the dish.

People are advised to cut it into smaller pieces and chew thoroughly before swallowing. They should also refrain from consuming alcohol while trying the dish as intoxication might increase the likelihood of choking.

Sannakji shot to global fame, after an iconic scene from the 2003 South Korean movie ‘Oldboy’ showed actor Choi Min-sik’s character devouring a wriggling octopus alive at a sushi bar.

The 33-year-old Delhi man arrested for allegedly killing a Swiss woman had promised precious gemstones and offered astrology tricks to other foreign women too to befriend them, police sources said on Thursday.

Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Delhi’s Janakpuri, told interrogators he was in touch with multiple foreign women apart from Nina Berger, whose body was found near an MCD-run school on October 20 with limbs tied with a chain.

Singh’s father has a business of gemstones and astrology in west Delhi. He is currently believed to be in Paris.

The police suspect Gurpreet Singh learned astrology from his father and used it to lure foreign women. He used the same trick to befriend Berger and lure her to come to India, they suspect.

She came to India on October 11 and stayed in two different hotels in west Delhi. “In the first, she stayed till October 16. Then she shifted to another hotel, where we believe, she stayed before being killed by Gurpreet on October 18. The decomposed body of Berger was recovered from near a school in Tilak Nagar on October 20,” a police officer said.

He said Singh’s chats with other foreign women have been retrieved from his two mobile phones, but he has deleted his chats with Berger. He has visited foreign countries, including Switzerland, multiple times, the police said.

“There are chats recovered from his mobile phone where he has talked with several women about gemstones and astrology. It is suspect he would lure them for friendship by offering them precious stones or using astrology tricks,” the officer said.

The police said they have recovered Berger’s iPhone too, but have not been able to unlock it. They are taking the help of cyber experts.

Singh’s family owns multiple properties in various parts of Delhi but the trail of huge cash recovered from his house is yet to be investigated.

The police has managed to reach out to the family of Berger in Zurich, via the Embassy of Switzerland. But they said they cannot come to India. Her body has been kept at a mortuary in a west Delhi hospital.

The police wanted the family to come to India for identification, so that the process of postmortem examination could be started. But now the police wait for an NOC (no-objection certificate) from the Swiss Embassy.

Since the identification of the body is a crucial part in investigation, the police plan to take the help of DNA and biometric process.

From the hotel where Berger stayed, the police have recovered a trolley bag carrying articles which are believed to be belonging to her. The DNA match of the dead body could be done with the recovered articles, an official said.

Berger used to work with a law firm in Switzerland.

A school teacher from West Bengal’s Asansol has been selected as one of the top 10 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize 2023, which includes participants from 130 different countries. Deep Narayan Nayak’s innovative teaching methods, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, have had a significant positive impact on underprivileged children. The Global Teacher Prize recognizes exceptional educators with a $1 million award for their outstanding contributions to the field.

Known as the ‘Teacher of the Streets,’ Mr Nayak teaches at the Tilka Manjhi Adivasi Free Primary School in Jamuria, Asansol. During the Covid-19 lockdown, he took education outdoors to bridge the digital divide affecting disadvantaged children living below the poverty line in remote areas. Mr Nayak transformed mud walls into blackboards and roads into classrooms, providing education to those who might otherwise have been left behind.

I’m incredibly grateful and humbled to be chosen as a top 10 finalist for the 2023 Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize, supported by UNESCO and Dubai Cares. Thank you, @varkeyfdn, @UNESCO, and @DubaiCares, for this incredible honor. ?? #GlobalTeacherPrize2023 #Education pic.twitter.com/jMAUh7MtVm

— Deep Narayan Nayak (@DeepNarayanNay2) October 26, 2023

He also made efforts to educate parents, particularly mothers and grandmothers, with the goal of breaking the cycle of illiteracy and improving the prospects of first-generation learners. His teaching techniques have not only increased literacy rates but have also contributed to the eradication of superstitions and the creation of employment opportunities.
 

Mr Nayak has developed programmes to address issues such as malnutrition, child exploitation, and early marriages. His ‘Fantastic Three-Dimensional Model’ has created educational and employment opportunities, and his Mothers’ Football Team promotes sportsmanship, gender equality, and global peace.

His focus on sustainability and environmental awareness not only deters the use of plastic but also encourages tree planting. Moreover, his ‘Teacher at Your Doorstep’ programme has offered guidance to students and their parents, aiming to decrease absenteeism and curb school dropouts.