Mount Etna erupts in Sicily a day after US tourist killed by lightning

Mount Etna erupted on Saturday in eastern Sicily, sending plumes of smoke and ash high into the sky and prompting local authorities to issue precautionary alerts for residents and visitors. The volcano, one of Europe’s most active, began spewing ash around 10:30 a.m. local time, with the ash cloud drifting over nearby towns and prompting temporary closures of several hiking trails and the nearby Catania airport’s lower‑altitude operations. Emergency services deployed monitoring equipment and urged people to avoid the summit area while the eruption continued to produce intermittent lava fountains and minor lava flows on the volcano’s southern slopes.

The eruption follows the death of a 31‑year‑old American tourist who was struck by lightning while hiking on Etna’s slopes the previous day, an incident that highlighted the inherent hazards of the region’s volatile weather and volcanic activity. Italian civil protection officials said they are maintaining heightened surveillance of both seismic and meteorological conditions, and they have reinforced safety briefings at popular access points. Authorities emphasized that while Etna’s activity is typical for the season, visitors should adhere to official guidance and remain vigilant for sudden changes in volcanic or weather conditions.