Fisherman dies after sea urchin splashes in eye

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A fisherman who was under treatment after sea urchin splashed into his eyes while fishing, has died. He has been identified as Pravees (56) of Pallam Pulluvila. The incident happened while he was fishing with his children in the deep sea two nautical miles away on the morning of June 29.

It splashed into his eyes while trying to remove it which was caught in his net. He sought treatment at Pulluvila Hospital after he developed swelling in his eyes due to allergy. His relatives took him to Neyyatinkara General Hospital after his condition worsened. He died while being taken to the medical college hospital from there. He leaves behind his wife Jayashanthi and children Dileep, Raji and Rakhi. His daughter and son-in-laws are Greeshma, Shibu and Johnny.

What is sea urchin?
A sea urchin is an aquatic creature with more than 90 percent water in its body. It's not fish. They have an umbrella-shaped body and tentacles and are found in all oceans. They use these tentacles to catch their prey. The tentacles can be up to 30 meters long.

Some of the chemicals they produce are used to make medicines for cancer and heart disease. Not all sea urchins are harmless.