A sight that stunned onlookers on the English coast! It was found on the sands.

The 43‑centimeter‑long dead balloon fish that crashed onto the shore at Knoll Beach in England's Studland area stunned onlookers. It was noted that the fish, which at first glance might be mistaken for a plastic bag or a buoy, could pose a serious danger because of the lethal toxins it carries.

During the incident at Knoll Beach in England's Studland area, diver Owen Booty encountered a strange object on the sand while walking along the shore. At first, Booty examined the object, which he thought might be a small buoy or a plastic bag, and realized it was a fully inflated dead balloon fish about 43 centimeters long.

He had never encountered such a thing before.

Booty, who said he had previously encountered balloon fish while diving abroad, sent photographs of the creature he found to the Dorset Wildlife Trust and a marine biologist friend to confirm its species.

Booty, who noted that he often dives along the Dorset coast, said he has encountered many fascinating marine creatures in the area but would never have expected to see a balloon fish crash onto the shore.

Carries Lethal Toxins

Pufferfish are known for inflating their bodies with water or air when threatened, protecting themselves from predators. This defense mechanism makes it harder for predators to swallow the fish.

However, the most dangerous feature of pufferfish is the potent toxins present in their bodies. Tetrodotoxin, found in their internal organs and, in some species, in their skin, can cause severe poisoning and respiratory failure in humans.

Much Stronger Than Cyanide

It is pointed out that the death of a pufferfish does not eliminate the danger. If the fish is not cleaned or consumed properly, it can lead to fatal outcomes; handling it with bare hands and especially touching it with the mouth also poses a risk.

While it is noted that tetrodotoxin can be about 1,000 times stronger than cyanide, experts warn against touching unknown sea creatures that wash up on shore and to report them to authorities.