Tragedy as 9‑year-old dies after allergic reaction in Rome restaurant
A 9-year-old girl, Martina F., died after eating gnocchi at a restaurant in Rome. The cause was an anaphylactic shock caused by a wheat allergy. This tragedy shook all of Italy and sparked a debate about the safety of people with allergies.
Martina and her mother went to a clinic for lung tests. According to "Fakt," after the visit, they decided to go for lunch at a restaurant in Rome. The girl ordered gnocchi.
Gnocchi are Italian dumplings from potatoes, wheat flour, and eggs. Sometimes cheese (e.g., ricotta) or other ingredients are added. Gnocchi are shaped like small, round, or elongated dumplings that are delicate and soft after cooking.
Half an hour after the meal, Martina felt unwell. She experienced severe cramps, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Concerned, her mother gave her Ventolin, a bronchodilator, but the child's condition quickly worsened.
An ambulance was called. The paramedics administered adrenaline, but Martina suffered cardiac arrest in the ambulance. Despite resuscitation and the efforts of doctors at the hospital, the girl died the next day.
Martina's parents, despite being divorced, jointly decided to donate her organs for transplant to help other children. This tragedy has ignited a wide debate in Italy about food allergies and safety in restaurants.
An enormous tragedy in Italy. The mother of the 9-year-old spoke out
Italian law requires clear labeling of allergens in menus and the training of staff in this area. However, it is not clear whether the restaurant where Martina ate complied with these regulations. An investigation is currently underway.
I asked the restaurant to check the gnocchi packaging. We were always careful; I don't know how it happened. I am devastated," said Martina's mother in an interview with the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera."
The girl's funeral took place on Tuesday, December 10, attended by family, friends, teachers, and classmates who bid farewell to Martina by releasing dozens of white balloons into the sky.
She was always smiling, full of life. She left too soon, in a way that is wrong and unacceptable," one of the teachers said with emotion.
