U.S. Hiker Killed by Lightning Strike on Mount Etna

An American tourist died after being struck by lightning while hiking on the active volcano in Sicily, highlighting the volatile combination of volcanic activity and sudden thunderstorms.

The 30‑year‑old was found by firefighters and emergency services around 8 pm local time (6 pm GMT) in a restricted “summit‑access” zone of the volcano, collapsed in a state of cardiac arrest. He was air‑lifted by helicopter to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania but was declared dead on arrival.

Etna has been erupting with a series of minor lava flows, ash plumes and seismic tremors in recent weeks, attracting roughly 1.5 million visitors each year. The ongoing activity has introduced ash‑filled plumes that have disrupted air traffic and forced ground operators to downgrade a red alert to orange.

Italian civil protection officials warn that the volatile environment of Mount Etna—especially in the upper slopes above the tree line—can produce lethal hazards when volcanic activity clashes with rapid weather changes.

Authorities have begun restricting access to more exposure zones to protect hikers from these combined risks.

The incident underscores the need for up‑to‑date weather alerts and volcanic monitoring data for tourists trekking in volcanic regions.