On Monday, August 17, a new eruption was recorded at Mount Etna in Sicily. Columns of smoke and ash rose above the crater, while increased activity and dust devils were observed along the volcano's slopes.
The event occurred just one day after a tragic incident in which a 29-year-old American tourist from Kansas was struck by lightning while hiking. According to Italian firefighters, the man was in an exposed area above the tree line—a zone officially closed to the public due to high volcanic risk. The victim was evacuated by helicopter on Sunday evening, but medical personnel pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Italian authorities have currently restricted access to large parts of the volcano. Etna has shown signs of instability for some time; volcanic activity forced the closure of Catania Airport for much of last week. Officials noted that despite the volcano's formidable reputation, the number of fatalities caused by lightning strikes on Etna in recent decades has actually exceeded those caused directly by volcanic eruptions.
