U.S. tourist reportedly killed by lightning strike on Italy's Mount Etna

Rome — A 30-year-old American tourist died Sunday after being struck by lightning on Italy's Mount Etna, according to Italy's national news agency ANSA and other major news outlets. The man, whose name has not been confirmed by authorities, was hiking on the volcano when a powerful thunderstorm moved across the area. According to initial reports by ANSA and other agencies, he had entered an area designated as off-limits to hikers, apparently in an effort to get closer to the summit of the active volcano.Firefighters and emergency services reached the man via helicopter around 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Eastern) on Sunday and found him in a state of cardiac arrest. He was flown to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania, but doctors were unable to revive him and he was declared dead at 9:30 p.m., according to local newspaper Catania Today. Mount Etna's eruptive activity continues alongside ongoing ash emissions from the Voragine summit crater in Catania, Sicily, Italy, Aug. 14, 2026, as the spectacular glowing lava streams draw an exceptional influx of hikers, tourists, and curious onlookers eager to witness the volcanic phenomenon at night. Salvatore Allegra/Anadolu/Getty The man's death com...