Volcanic Ash and Human Error: The Forgotten Casualties of Etna's Fury The tragic death of a 29 year old American tourist on Sicily's Mount Etna, struck by lightning while hiking in an area closed to visitors due to volcanic activity, raises uncomfortable questions about the human cost of playing with nature's fire.
Authorities are scrambling to contain the volcano's persistent ash emissions and reopen Catania airport, but the true price of Etna's unrest extends far beyond canceled flights and rerouted air traffic.
The closure of large sections of the volcano's slope is a prudent measure aimed at preventing another tragic incident like this one.