Catalonia emergency services issue mushroom foraging safety warnings

Emergency services in Catalonia have issued a safety warning for mushroom foragers following the death of a 72-year-old man in Sant Joan de les Abadesses. The individual, a resident of Olot, was reported missing by his family on Wednesday afternoon. After an intensive search involving drones, forest action groups, and emergency medical teams, his body was located near the GI-521 road around midnight.

Rescuers found no signs of injury or falls, leading authorities to suggest natural causes as the primary hypothesis. In response to the incident, firefighters are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when entering forests. Recommended precautions include checking weather forecasts, wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, carrying sufficient food and water, bringing maps, and ensuring mobile phones are fully charged. Experts also advise against foraging alone and suggest adjusting excursions to one's physical condition.

Meanwhile, recent rainfall has increased interest in foraging in regions like Tarragona. Digital tools, such as the Bolets.app platform, are being used to help enthusiasts track humidity, temperature, and vegetation conditions to identify favorable areas like the Castellfollit forest near Poblet.