US Hiker Killed by Lightning on Mount Etna During Thunderstorm

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:20:52 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An American tourist was struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily, amid volcanic eruptions and sudden weather changes.

A 30‑year‑old American tourist died after being struck by lightning on Mount Etna during a thunderstorm on a Sunday. The victim was found in cardiac arrest in a restricted area near the summit and later died after helicopter transfer to Catania hospital. The incident highlights the dangers of combining active volcanic activity with volatile weather. Authorities have restricted access to higher slopes and issued warnings about the hazardous mix of eruptions and storms. Enormous tourist traffic and volcanic ash have also disrupted flights at Catania International Airport.

US Hiker Hit by Lightning on Mount Etna

On Sunday night, a 30-year-old American tourist was found in a state of cardiac arrest on the slopes of Mount Etna, Italy’s most active volcano, after a thunderstorm broke out. The hiker was located in a restricted area that is often used by climbers to get closer to the summit.

Firefighters and emergency services responded and flew the injured man by helicopter to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mount Etna has been erupting in a series of recent events, causing significant ash clouds that have disrupted air traffic at Catania Airport and attracted tourists despite cautionary restrictions. Authorities have closed access to areas above the tree line because of the combined risks of volcanic activity and sudden weather changes.

Over 1.5 million visitors travel to Etna each year, but the volcano’s latest eruptions and the unpredictable weather pattern have made the mountain especially dangerous. In response, Italy’s civil protection agency has warned that climbers should avoid the upper slopes.

The incident underscores how the volatile environment at active volcanoes can amplify natural hazards such as lightning. Safety measures and timely weather alerts remain critical to protecting both residents and visitors of the region.