Etna lightning death sharpens focus on volcano tourism risks

An American tourist died on Sunday after being struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna, according to multiple international outlets. The Guardian reported that the 29-year-old was walking in an area closed to visitors due to recent volcanic activity when the storm developed; the New York Times said rescuers found him in serious condition on the volcano's eastern slope and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Catania.

The incident came as Etna continues to erupt, with plumes of ash forcing the repeated closure of Catania airport during the peak summer season, as Deutsche Welle and Euronews reported. The BBC noted that a thunderstorm developed suddenly on the volcano, catching the hiker in the open. CBS News said the man was apparently walking in a closed-off area at the time.