An American tourist, aged 30, was struck and killed by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily on Sunday evening. Rescue efforts by helicopter arrived too late to revive him, according to Italian authorities.
The 30-year-old man from the United States was hiking in a restricted area of the volcano when the incident occurred. Italian firefighters confirmed he was struck by lightning in an exposed zone above the tree line. Medical personnel declared him dead upon arrival at the hospital. His name has not been released.
A yellow weather warning for severe thunderstorms was in effect for the Catania area at the time of the incident. The volcano has been actively erupting since July, with recent activity forcing the closure of nearby Catania-Fontanarossa Airport for parts of last week. Authorities had urged visitors to stay at least 200 meters from lava flows.
Mount Etna’s Ongoing Activity
The volcano, Europe’s highest and most active, has been spewing volcanic ash and lava in recent weeks. The eruptive activity has disrupted air travel, with hundreds of flights canceled or rerouted. The airport’s closure of Sector B3 was extended until 4 p.m. on August 13, according to a statement from SAC.
Lightning Strikes on Etna
Italian firefighters noted that more people have died on Etna from lightning strikes than from volcanic activity in recent decades. The last eruption-related fatalities on the volcano occurred in 1987.
Regional Context
The incident occurred amid a record-breaking heatwave across Europe, with Sicily battling wildfires. Authorities reported 40 separate blazes on the island, including a major fire in Bivona that threatened homes and a marble processing plant.
Safety Warnings and Restrictions
Authorities have closed vast areas of Etna’s slopes to hikers due to the ongoing volcanic activity. Despite warnings, some visitors continue to enter restricted zones to observe lava flows up close. The incident highlights the dangers of ignoring safety advisories during extreme weather and volcanic events.