Fifty scouts intoxicated in a camp in Friuli: numerous rescue vehicles involved

Fifty scouts fell ill with symptoms including nausea and stomach cramps during a summer camp in Cavazzo Carnico, a town in the Udine province of northeastern Italy, after consuming a meal of tuna and cheese pasta. The incident occurred on Ferragosto, the traditional Italian holiday marking the end of summer, and triggered an emergency response from regional rescue services. According to local authorities, multiple ambulances were dispatched to the site following reports of mass food poisoning among the group of minors. The affected youths, all under the age of 18, began experiencing severe gastrointestinal distress shortly after eating lunch at the campsite near the town’s sports field. Reports indicate that the entire group consumed the same dish, pasta with tuna and cheese, which was identified as the likely cause of the illness. Scouts' leaders confirmed this to medical personnel upon arrival, pointing to the shared meal as the common factor among all those who became unwell. Emergency services responded swiftly, sending several ambulances to transport the affected individuals to nearby hospitals for evaluation and treatment. While none of the victims were reported to be in critical condition, the number of affected scouts continued to rise over the course of the afternoon. Local health officials have begun investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the outbreak and to assess whether other attendees might have been exposed to the same contamination. Cavazzo Carnico, located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, is a small mountainous town known for its outdoor recreational activities. The summer camp had been organized as part of a broader scouting program aimed at providing young people with experiential learning opportunities through physical activity and teamwork. The event, however, turned into a public health concern due to the sudden onset of illness among participants. Health authorities have emphasized the importance of food safety protocols during large gatherings, particularly when meals are prepared in bulk. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the contaminated food and identify potential breaches in hygiene standards. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the meal was prepared on-site or sourced from an external supplier, though both possibilities remain under scrutiny. Local residents expressed concern over the incident, noting that such events are typically considered safe and well-managed. Some parents of the affected scouts visited the hospital to check on their children's conditions, while others waited anxiously for updates from the emergency services. The community has called for transparency regarding how the incident could have occurred and what measures will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The regional health department has launched an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the food poisoning. This includes examining the supply chain of ingredients used in the meal, reviewing the cooking process, and interviewing staff and volunteers involved in preparing the food. Authorities are also considering whether additional preventive measures should be implemented for future events of this nature. As of late evening, fifty scouts remained under observation at local healthcare facilities. Most have shown improvement, but some continue to experience lingering effects of the illness. Health experts warn that the full impact of the incident may not be immediately apparent and urge caution in assessing the long-term health consequences for those affected. Meanwhile, the focus remains on identifying the root cause of the outbreak and ensuring that appropriate corrective actions are taken to safeguard the health of participants in future scouting activities.