Mount Etna erupts a day after US tourist killed by lightning

Updated: 18/08/2026 - 8:14 GMT+2 Mount Etna erupts in Sicily, sending smoke and ash into the sky, a day after a US tourist died from a lightning strike while hiking on the volcano. Mount Etna erupted on Monday, 17 August, sending plumes of smoke and ash into the sky over Sicily. Footage shows fresh eruptions and a whirlwind of dust forming near the volcano's slopes. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The latest activity comes a day after a 29-year-old US tourist from Kansas died in a lightning strike while hiking on Etna. Italian firefighters said he was in an area closed to visitors because of recent volcanic activity. He was rescued by helicopter from an exposed area above the tree line on Sunday evening, but was later pronounced dead. Authorities have restricted access to large areas of the volcano. Etna's activity also forced the closure of Catania airport for most of last week. Officials say lightning has killed more people on Etna in recent decades than volcanic activity.