Tragedy on Etna: US Hiker Dies After Lightning Strike on Volcano

A 29-year-old American tourist tragically died after being struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily on Sunday. The incident occurred as a severe thunderstorm swept across the active volcano, leading to a frantic rescue operation. The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was immediately rushed to a hospital in Catania by a firefighter helicopter but was pronounced dead.

Emergency services received a call shortly before 8 pm, reporting the incident in the isolated Rocca Capra area of the Valle del Bove, approximately 1,400 metres above sea level. Preliminary investigations suggest the man was hiking alone and might have been in an area closed to the public or subject to restrictions due to Etna's recent volcanic activity. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is currently underway.

The rescue operation involved an Italian firefighter Drago 142 helicopter, which was dispatched to the scene. Rescuers attempted to resuscitate the man before he was winched aboard and flown to Catania's Cannizzaro hospital. He arrived in cardiac arrest, and despite continued resuscitation efforts by doctors, he was pronounced dead around 9:30 pm. His body has since been transferred to the hospital morgue, and police are investigating, though no family members have yet been traced.

Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, has continued to exhibit highly eruptive behavior in recent hours. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology's (INGV) Etna Observatory reported a new lava vent opening in the Valle del Bove after a partial collapse of the Rittmann summit cone's eastern flank. This new vent, situated around 2,350 metres above sea level, produced a lava flow of approximately 500 metres, which has since cooled and halted. Another vent at about 1,900 metres remains active, with lava continuing to descend to roughly 1,600 metres. Concurrently, explosive activity persists at Voragine, one of Etna's summit craters, sending an eruption plume to around 6,000 metres above sea level, drifting southeast. Volcanic tremors are also recorded at high, steady levels, confirming the volcano's ongoing active phase, which the INGV is closely monitoring.

The volcano's activity has not only posed direct dangers but also significantly impacted air traffic to and from Sicily. The presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere prompted authorities to extend the closure of sector B1 of the airspace and impose restrictions on arrivals at Catania-Fontanarossa airport. Until noon on Tuesday, a maximum of 10 flights are permitted to arrive per hour, although departures currently face no restrictions. Passengers are advised to verify their flight status with airlines before traveling to the airport, as ash emissions have previously led to flight cancellations.

The American tourist's death underscores the significant risks posed by thunderstorms in mountainous regions. In a separate incident, a 42-year-old man also died on Piz Starlex in South Tyrol after reportedly being struck by lightning during his descent, with his body located by a drone at 2,600 metres altitude. Mountain rescue teams consistently warn that ridges, peaks, and rocky zones are particularly exposed during thunderstorms. Hikers are strongly advised to vacate high ground and seek immediate shelter upon observing lightning or hearing thunder. August is notably the busiest month for mountain rescues across Italy, highlighting the increased vulnerability of outdoor enthusiasts during this period.