In brief
A 30‑year‑old American tourist died Sunday after being struck by lightning while hiking near the summit of Mount Etna in Sicily. The man was found collapsed by emergency crews and air‑lifted to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The volcano’s recent eruptions have disrupted flights and attracted large numbers of tourists, prompting authorities to limit access to the upper slopes for safety. Italy’s civil protection agency warns that the combination of volcanic activity and sudden weather can create hazardous conditions for visitors.
A 30‑year‑old American tourist died Sunday after being struck by lightning on Mount Etna. The U.S. hiker was hiking near the summit when a thunderstorm erupted over the active volcano.
Firefighters and emergency responders found him collapsed at about 20:00 local time, suffering cardiac arrest. He was air‑lifted to Catania’s Cannizzaro Hospital, but was pronounced dead en route.
Etna’s recent eruptions have disrupted air traffic and attracted large crowds. Authorities are restricting access to the upper slopes, where shelter is scarce, amid the volatile mix of volcanic activity and sudden weather.
Italy’s civil protection agency warns that volcano‑related hazards can combine with storm conditions to create sudden danger for hikers and visitors.
