American Hiker Dies After Lightning Strike on Mount Etna
An American tourist died when struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily. The 30‑year‑old, who has not been named, was on the active volcano on Sunday when a sudden thunderstorm broke out.
Firefighters and emergency services found the man in cardiac arrest on a restricted area used to approach the summit. He was air‑lifted to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania but was declared dead on arrival.
Mount Etna has erupted repeatedly in recent weeks, causing air‑traffic disruptions and drawing thousands of tourists to its slopes despite the hazards of sudden weather changes and volcanic activity. Authorities have limited access to higher slopes where little shelter exists above the tree line.
About 1.5 million people visit Etna every year; ash from eruptions has clouded the skies over eastern Sicily and disrupted many flights at Catania International Airport. An aviation alert was downgraded from red to orange just last Saturday.
