At least 13 truffle pickers were killed this Sunday in a mine explosion in a desert area of northern Syria. The NGO Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that 30 people have died in the last ten days while engaging in this activity.
Every year around this time, thousands of Syrians, driven by poverty and misery, travel to the desert regions of the north and center of the country. This highly prized mushroom is resold at high prices, allowing many families to support themselves for a few months.