By Blessing Nweke
An American tourist has died after being struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, during a period of heightened volcanic activity and severe weather.
Italian firefighters said the man, reportedly 29 or 30 years old and from Kansas, was hiking alone on Sunday when a powerful thunderstorm moved across the volcano. He was found in the Valle del Bove area, at an elevation of about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), where the terrain was exposed and offered little protection from the storm.
Emergency crews were alerted at about 8 p.m. and dispatched a helicopter to reach the injured tourist. Rescuers found him in cardiac arrest and transported him by helicopter to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead later that evening. Authorities have not publicly released his identity.
The death occurred as Mount Etna, one of Europe’s most active volcanoes, continues to experience significant eruptive activity. Lava flows and ash emissions have prompted authorities to restrict access to parts of the mountain, while volcanic ash has also disrupted operations at nearby Catania Airport.
Authorities are investigating whether the tourist entered an area closed to hikers. Reports indicate that several sections of Mount Etna had been restricted because of the increased volcanic danger.
Officials have also noted that lightning poses a serious hazard on the volcano. In recent decades, lightning strikes have reportedly caused more deaths on Etna than volcanic eruptions themselves, underscoring the risks of hiking in exposed areas during thunderstorms.
The tragedy has renewed warnings for visitors to follow safety restrictions and check weather conditions before attempting hikes on the active volcano.
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