An American tourist was killed after being struck by lightning while hiking on Sicily’s Mount Etna during severe thunderstorms, according to Italian reports.
The 30-year-old man was hiking on the volcano Sunday while a yellow weather warning was in effect for the Catania area.
According to Italian news outlet Quotidiano Nazionale, the tourist had entered a restricted area in an effort to get a closer look at Mount Etna’s lava flow.
He was struck by lightning during the hike.
Emergency crews launched a rescue operation, and a fire department helicopter was dispatched at around 8 p.m.
But the man could not be saved.
He was already dead by the time he reached the hospital, according to reports.
The tragedy happened as Mount Etna remained highly active.
The volcano, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, has been erupting since July and recently sent a massive cloud of volcanic ash into the sky.
Visitors have been warned to stay at least 200 meters away from active lava.
Dramatic footage from the area has shown Europe’s highest and most active volcano blasting ash high above the island.
The ongoing eruption has also caused major travel disruptions.
Hundreds of flights have reportedly been canceled, delayed or rerouted over the past week because of volcanic activity.
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport announced restrictions tied to Etna’s eruption, including the closure of one airspace sector and the temporary suspension of arrivals and departures.
Passengers were urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information.
The lightning death comes as Sicily and other parts of southern Europe are also battling extreme summer weather.
A powerful heatwave has pushed temperatures across parts of the continent to dangerous levels while fueling widespread wildfires.
Sicily has been hit especially hard, with dozens of fires breaking out across the island.
Around 40 separate blazes were reported, including a major wildfire near Bivona that threatened homes and a marble processing plant in the Contrada Savarini area.
Other fires erupted in Favara, Sciacca, Cammarata and near Lake Arancio in Sambuca di Sicilia.
Firefighters, forest rangers and civil defense crews were deployed across the region.
In Castronovo di Sicilia, in Palermo province, flames spread into the town itself.
Three Canadair firefighting aircraft and dozens of ground crews were sent in to protect homes.
Around 150 hectares of land were burned, while approximately 200 residents from 10 households were evacuated.
Experts have warned that parts of southern Europe could see temperatures climb above 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 degrees Fahrenheit, during periods of extreme heat.
Between the volcanic eruption, severe thunderstorms, lightning and raging wildfires, Sicily has been facing a dangerous combination of natural hazards at the height of the summer tourism season.
Discover more from True News Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.