US Tourist Killed by Lightning on Sicily's Mount Etna

A US tourist, aged either 29 or 30, lost his life in a lightning strike while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily on Sunday evening. He died of cardiac arrest after a team of rescuers attempted to revive him. The man is believed to have been hiking alone in a prohibited area on Etna's eastern slope, which is experiencing significant volcanic activity.

Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano at 3,324 meters (nearly 11,000 feet), is drawing more tourists due to its dramatic lava fountains and smoke. Authorities suggest the man may have disregarded closure markings and climbed towards a new crater when he was caught in a storm. Emergency services reported that the US national was in cardiac arrest when a helicopter rescue crew arrived around 8 pm local time.

He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Italian authorities have warned of the dangers of Etna's activity but the volcano remains a popular attraction for tourists and thrill-seekers. The mountain's large size and hazardous areas, combined with sudden weather changes, make it a particularly risky environment.

The nearby Catania international airport has experienced disruptions due to massive smoke plumes, which pose breathing difficulties and act like ice on roads.