US tourist killed by lightning on Mount Etna

An American tourist has died after being struck by lightning on Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, according to multiple international reports. The 29-year-old man was hiking on the volcano's eastern slope on Sunday when a thunderstorm developed, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Catania, the New York Times reported.

Italian firefighters said the man was walking in an area that had been closed to visitors due to recent volcanic activity, the Guardian reported. The incident comes as Etna continues to erupt, sending plumes of lava and ash into the sky and forcing the repeated closure of Catania Airport during the peak summer travel season, Deutsche Welle reported.

The death highlights the risks posed by Etna's dual nature: a spectacular attraction drawing tourists eager to witness an active eruption, and a volatile mountain where weather and volcanic activity can turn deadly without warning. Euronews reported that tourists have been flocking to the volcano to witness the eruption despite safety concerns from local guides, who have warned visitors about the dangers of venturing into closed areas.

For Calabria, the incident resonates across the Strait of Messina. The region shares the same volcanic and seismic geography as Sicily, and its own mountains, including the Aspromonte range, draw hikers who may be equally unprepared for sudden weather shifts. The death is a reminder that the Mediterranean's summer beauty can conceal lethal hazards, a lesson familiar to those who live in the shadow of Etna's restless activity.

The eruption has also disrupted travel across the region. Catania Airport, a major gateway for southern Italy and a key hub for connections to Calabria, has suspended flights repeatedly, according to Deutsche Welle. The closures have stranded passengers and complicated logistics for the surrounding regions, including the Calabrian port of Gioia Tauro, which relies on the broader transport network.

The New York Times reported that rescuers found the man in serious condition before he died at the hospital. The Guardian noted that the restricted area was closed due to recent volcanic activity, underscoring the importance of heeding safety warnings. Local guides, quoted in Euronews coverage, have expressed concern that the spectacle of the eruption is drawing visitors into dangerous situations.