American Hiker Killed by Lightning on Mount Etna

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:04:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 30‑year‑old U.S. tourist was struck by lightning while hiking on Italy’s active volcano, Mount Etna, and died after rescue attempts.

An American hiker died from a lightning strike on Mount Etna, Italy’s most active volcano, amid a sudden thunderstorm. The 30‑year‑old was found in cardiac arrest near the summit route and was air‑lifted to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident comes as the volcano’s recent eruptions have spurred tourism but also raised safety concerns, prompting authorities to restrict access to higher slopes where shelters are scarce. Volcanic activity has already disrupted flights at Catania airport, with ash clouds punctuating the sky over eastern Sicily. The tragic event underscores the dangers of combining volcanic risk with unpredictable weather for hikers venturing up Mount Etna.

American Hiker Killed by Lightning on Mount Etna

By Alex Kleiderman – 6 hours ago

Mount Etna, known as Europe’s most active volcano, is also prone to stormy weather. On a Sunday a 30‑year‑old American tourist was hiking near the volcano’s summit when a sudden thunderstorm struck. Local firefighters and emergency crews found him in a state of cardiac arrest near an area used by climbers to approach the peak.

The victim was air‑lifted by helicopter to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania, but medical staff declared him dead upon arrival. The incident occurs as authorities have tightened access to the upper slopes of Etna due to ongoing eruptions and hazardous weather patterns.

Italy’s civil protection agency warns that the combination of volcanic activity and rapid weather changes can create dangerous conditions at higher elevations where shelter is limited. The volcano’s recent activity has already disrupted numerous flights at Catania International Airport, with ash clouds clouding the sky over eastern Sicily.

Despite risks, about 1.5 million people visit Etna yearly. Authorities are balancing tourist interest with safety by restricting certain sections of the mountain.

Drone footage of lava ejection from Mount Etna