Lightning Surprises Mount Etna Hiker, U.S. Tourist Killed

A 30‑year‑old American tourist was struck by lightning and died during an afternoon thunderstorm on Mount Etna, Italy, according to local media reports.

The man was hiking on a restricted portion of the volcano’s slopes when lightning hit him, in a region frequently used by climbers to approach the summit. Firefighters and emergency responders found him at about 20:00 local time in a state of cardiac arrest and flew him to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mount Etna has been erupting more regularly in recent weeks, disrupting air traffic and drawing crowds of tourists to its dramatic slopes. In response to the increased volcanic activity and sudden weather changes, Italian civil‑protection agencies are limiting access to the upper, unshaded part of the mountain.

Authorities warn that the combination of volcanic activity and sudden atmospheric shifts can make climbing conditions hazardous. Etna attracts roughly 1.5 million visitors each year, underscoring the importance of monitoring both meteorological and volcanic alerts.

The light‑strike incident follows a series of volcanic eruptions that have clouded the skies over eastern Sicily, affecting hundreds of flights at Catania International Airport over the past week. The aviation alert remains at the orange level, downgraded only from the red warning level two days ago.