A 30-year-old American tourist died after being struck by lightning while climbing... Mount Etna, in Sicily, on Sunday (16). According to ANSA, the man had entered a restricted access area when he was surprised by a strong electrical storm.
The alert to emergency services was given shortly before 20 pm. A Drago 142 helicopter from the Italian fire department participated in the rescue. The tourist was taken in serious condition to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania, but arrived at the unit in cardiorespiratory arrest and died.
ANSA and other Italian news outlets claim that the American was in a prohibited zone attempting to approach the highest part of the volcano. The Associated Press, however, reported that although sections of Etna were closed to visitors, there was still no confirmation that the exact point where the man was hit was within the restricted area.
Mount Etna is the largest volcano in Europe geographically and one of the most active in the world. Its activity occurs both in the four craters of the summit region and in areas of the slopes.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed: citizenship is born with the person.
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- Individual assessment before any decision.
Mount Etna keeps Catania airport under restrictions.
The death occurs amid a new period of intense activity at Etna. On Monday (17), Catania International Airport extended restrictions due to volcanic ash emissions.
According to the airport administration, sector B1 of the airspace remained closed and arrivals were limited to ten aircraft per hour until 12:00 pm on Tuesday (18). Departures were not affected by the measure.
John Robert Di Napoli
August 17 from 2026 at 19: 27
Is there any way to contact Italianismo, since the "contact us" option isn't working? Thank you!
Enzo Favara
August 18 from 2026 at 12: 52
Go to Mount Etna, visit Catania!