There are numerous cerbera odollam trees, commonly known as the suicide tree, Pong-pong or Othalanga, growing in the Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park. The tree is native to India, and bears fruit that are highly toxic.

On Sep. 23, a one-year-old boy, who was visiting the park with his family, took a bite of its toxic fruit and was taken to the hospital. The boy has since recovered and reportedly doing well.

The father of the boy, Daigo Noha, said after the incident “I cannot understand why there would be such toxic trees planted in a public park. The trees should be cut down, or at least some action must be taken, so this kind of accident won’t happen again.”

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