American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna

An American tourist was killed after being struck by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, which was recently active, Italian firefighters said Monday.

The 29-year-old man from Kansas, whose name had not been released at the time of this reporting, was found at an altitude of 1,000 feet in the Rocca Capra area.

He was rescued by helicopter after he was struck Sunday night in a barren, exposed area. He was later pronounced dead by medical officials.

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Eruptive activity continues on Mount Etna as lava flows descend the volcano's slopes, seen from Mareneve near Catania, Italy, on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. An American tourist died Sunday after he was struck by lighting while hiking the volcano. (AP Photo/Salvatore Allegra)

Ash from the volcano forced the closure of Sicily's largest airport last week, impacting summer travelers during the busy travel season.

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Eruptive activity continues on Mount Etna, where lava flows descend the volcano's slopes, as seen from Serracozzo near Catania, Italy, last week. (AP Photo/Simone Genovese)

Planes were forced to be re-routed to other airports on the island.

More people have died on Etna from lightning strikes over recent decades than from volcanic activity, officials said. The last eruption-related fatalities were in 1987.

Mount Etna, where lava flows descend on the slopes of the volcano, as seen from Serracozzo near Catania, Italy, early Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Simone Genovese)