18-7-2024 (JAKARTA) A wave of bizarre behaviour and tragic deaths has swept through Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province, as approximately 50 individuals have been hospitalised due to suspected intoxication from consuming the fruit of the Angel’s Trumpet plant. Local health authorities have confirmed two fatalities linked to this alarming incident.
The affected individuals, ranging in age from 22 to 50, have exhibited a spectrum of disturbing symptoms, from violent outbursts to profound delusions. Some patients have even proclaimed themselves to be divine entities, according to local media reports. The crisis has touched multiple cities and regencies across South Kalimantan, including the provincial capital Banjarmasin, as well as Banjarbaru, Banjar, Hulu Sungai Selatan, and Barito Kuala.
Social media platforms have been inundated with viral videos capturing the surreal and often dangerous behaviour of those under the influence of the plant. One particularly troubling incident involved a young man, convinced of his own divinity, who forcibly entered a stranger’s home and caused significant disturbance. Other footage depicts individuals engaging in perilous activities, such as sitting amidst heavy traffic or submerging themselves in ponds while hallucinating.
Mr Budi Harmanto, head of public relations at the Sambang Lihum psychiatric hospital in Banjar regency, reported that many patients arrived in states of extreme delirium, with some requiring isolation due to aggressive tendencies. While four individuals have recovered and been discharged, the community mourns the loss of two lives on the 7th and 8th of July.
As authorities grapple with this health crisis, Police Chief Commissioner Adam Erwindi, spokesperson for the South Kalimantan Police, stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the intoxications. While social media speculation points to Angel’s Trumpet as the culprit, official confirmation is pending as victims are currently unable to provide statements.
In a related development, law enforcement has launched an operation to track the distribution of pills suspected to contain Angel’s Trumpet extracts. One arrest has been made, with 20,000 unmarked white pills seized as evidence. In a preventative measure, Banjarbaru Police conducted a controlled burn of wild Angel’s Trumpet plants on 15th July to mitigate further incidents.
The Angel’s Trumpet, scientifically known as Datura metel L., is a tropical plant notorious for its toxic properties. Commonly found in Africa and Asia, it is known locally in Indonesia as ‘kecubung’. The plant’s distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers and small, spiky green fruit belie its dangerous nature. Various parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, contain harmful compounds including alkaloids like scopolamine, which can induce severe hallucinations and delirium.
Mr Dimas Asto Aji An’amta, a sociologist at Lambung Mangkurat University, noted that while Angel’s Trumpet intoxication is not a new phenomenon in Banjarmasin, social media has amplified its visibility. He highlighted its appeal as a cheap and easily accessible ‘alternative drug’, despite the severe health risks associated with its consumption.
Medical experts warn that ingestion of Angel’s Trumpet can lead to a host of dangerous symptoms, including prolonged dizziness, vomiting, elevated blood pressure, and in extreme cases, stroke or death. These grave concerns have prompted calls for the plant to be classified as a narcotic.
