US hiker killed by lightning on Etna as volcano tourism surges

An American tourist has died after being struck by lightning on Mount Etna, according to multiple international reports. The Guardian, BBC and the New York Times all confirmed the death of a 29-year-old man who was hiking in a restricted area of the volcano, closed to visitors due to recent volcanic activity. Rescuers found him in serious condition on the eastern slope on Sunday, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Catania.

The incident comes as Etna's ongoing eruption has drawn crowds of tourists eager to witness the spectacle, despite safety warnings. Euronews reported that visitors are flocking to the volcano even as authorities have closed Catania Airport due to ash. The tension between the allure of the active volcano and the risks it poses is now tragically underscored.