American tourist dies after being struck by lightning on Mount Etna

A 30-year-old American tourist died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, after being struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily. The man had ventured into a restricted area of the volcano in an attempt to reach the summit when a severe thunderstorm broke out, resulting in the fatal incident.

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 8 p.m. local time, prompting a rescue operation involving an Italian Fire Brigade helicopter. Upon discovery, rescuers found the man in critical condition. He was transported to the Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania, where he arrived in cardiac arrest. Despite the medical team's efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead. The incident highlights the severe risks associated with accessing off-limits zones on the active volcano, particularly during unstable weather conditions.