Eleven Romanian Pilgrims Hospitalized in Greece

Eleven Romanian pilgrims visiting Mount Athos in Greece were hospitalized due to food poisoning after consuming wild mushrooms gathered during a hike. They fell ill after returning from an overnight trek and were treated in hospitals in Halkidiki and Thessaloniki, though none are in life-threatening condition. The group had been staying at the Skete of Saint Anne and mistakenly assumed the mushrooms they picked were safe to eat. The incident highlights the dangers of foraging for wild mushrooms, which can be easily confused with toxic varieties. Emergency services responded promptly, and some pilgrims required IV fluids due to their condition. Mount Athos remains a significant pilgrimage site, upholding a long-standing ban on female visitors.