A lightning strike killed a tourist from the U.S. in Etna
A U.S. citizen died on Mount Etna on the Italian island of Sicily; according to preliminary reports, he was struck by lightning while hiking on Sunday evening. According to Italian media reports, the man was 29 or 30 years old.
According to Deutsche Welle, the tourist was likely alone in a restricted area on the eastern slope of Mount Etna. Authorities believe he may have ignored signs indicating the trail was closed and headed toward a new crater, where he was caught in a storm.
A rescue helicopter arrived in the Rocca Capra area, located at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters above sea level, around 8:00 p.m. local time. According to emergency services, the man was in cardiac arrest when rescuers arrived. After his evacuation, rescuers attempted to resuscitate him.
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The victim was transported to Cannizzaro Hospital in neighboring Catania, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.
Mount Etna, at 3,324 meters high, is Europe’s tallest active volcano. The volcano is currently experiencing significant activity, which attracts visitors eager to see lava fountains and plumes of smoke. The Italian Civil Protection Agency warned that the combination of volcanic activity and sudden weather changes could pose a particular danger. Due to large plumes of smoke, operations at Catania International Airport have been repeatedly disrupted.
