Department of Forests warns of dangers for mushroom pickers and forest visitors

The Cyprus Department of Forests has issued an urgent advisory to hikers, hunters, and mushroom gatherers following a surge in accidents and disappearances in local forests. Favorable weather conditions have driven a high number of visitors to forested areas this year, leading to several emergency incidents.

Key incidents include the death of a 75-year-old woman on November 8 after falling into a ravine, the rescue of a 67-year-old man in the Stavros tis Psokas area on November 11, and the ongoing search for a 60-year-old man who went missing in the rugged Roudia Valley. Glavkos Kyriakou, spokesperson for the Department, identified the Roudia Valley as particularly treacherous.

To prevent further casualties, officials recommend that visitors avoid difficult terrain, stay on marked paths, and carry fully charged mobile phones. They also advise informing relatives of travel plans, using GPS location pinning for vehicles, and wearing appropriate non-slip footwear. Authorities stress the importance of not entering forests alone and remaining in constant communication with companions during outings.