Mushroom picking results in death for several Italians

At least 18 Italian mushroom pickers have died in the past 10 days. Many of the deaths are a result of falls, as the pickers take risks to try to beat others to the edible fungi.

The Guardian reported that weather conditions during the past few days have resulted in a large number of mushrooms growing in northern Italy. The latest picker to die was 58-year-old Angelo Bertoni who was with his brother and cousing when he left the path to collect a porcini mushroom. He died when he slipped and fell about 100 metres. Pickers often head into early in the morning, going to remote areas. According to The Guardian, Gino Cornelli, head of alpine rescue in the Fassa valley in the Dolomites, said: "Many arrive in the dark. They set off with lights on their heads, even though it is banned. They dress in grey or brown to disguise themselves from the others." Marco Biasoni, an Alpine rescuer, said that many pickers did not dress properly before going into the wooded areas. He said it is important to have the type of shoes used in trekking, to take a mobile phone and never to go alone.