A 30-year-old American tourist died Sunday after being struck by lightning while hiking on Italy’s Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano. Emergency responders airlifted the man to a hospital in Catania, where he was pronounced dead.
The incident occurred as the volcano remained in an active phase, with recent weeks marked by lava flows and ash eruptions that disrupted air travel at Catania International Airport. Authorities confirmed the hiker had entered a restricted area of the mountain before encountering a thunderstorm.
Emergency services received the call shortly before 8 p.m. local time and deployed a helicopter to reach the scene. The man was flown to Cannizzaro Hospital, where medical personnel attempted resuscitation but were unable to revive him. He was declared dead at 9:30 p.m., according to local reports.
Mount Etna’s ongoing activity has drawn significant attention, with roughly 1.5 million visitors annually. The combination of volcanic eruptions and sudden weather shifts creates hazardous conditions for hikers. Italy’s Civil Protection agency noted that the rapid ascent from sea level to high-mountain terrain can lead to sudden weather changes, including thunderstorms fueled by humid sea air meeting cold mountain currents.
The volcano’s Voragine summit crater has been emitting ash, further complicating access and visibility. While the exact identity of the tourist has not been released by authorities, local outlets reported he was attempting to reach the summit when the incident occurred.
Volcanic activity has persisted since early August, with hundreds of flights canceled due to ash clouds. The incident underscores the risks associated with exploring active volcanic regions, particularly during periods of heightened activity.
Italian authorities have not indicated any immediate changes to safety protocols following the tragedy, though the event has renewed discussions about visitor access to high-risk zones on the mountain.