A British tourist has died while hiking to Mount Vesuvius after reportedly suffering a heart attack as he approached the volcano’s summit.
The 56-year-old, named by Italian media as Mark John Irwin, lived in the United States and was on holiday in Italy with his wife and two children.
Mr Irwin became ill near the top of the volcano and despite rescuers’ attempts to save him, he died while still on the volcano.
In recent days, Italy has suffered a heat wave that has reached temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country.
But when Mr Irwan hiked up the mountain on Sunday, the temperature was around 27 degrees Celsius, said the chairman of an association of mountain guides in Vesuvius.
A British tourist has died while climbing Mount Vesuvius (pictured) after reportedly suffering a heart attack as he approached the famous volcano’s summit. (stock image)
Mount Vesuvius seen from Pompeii. Mr. Irwin suddenly became ill near the top of the volcano. Despite rescuers’ efforts to save him, he died on the spot
Tourists in Rome brave the heat wave in Rome. Italy has been experiencing a heatwave in recent days, with temperatures rising as high as 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country.
Speak with The TelegraphPaolo Cappelli said: ‘It’s very sad. It’s quite rare for this to happen on Vesuvius.
“We have one death every year or two, which isn’t much considering that about 3,000 people climb to the top of the volcano every day.”
A number of tourists have died across Europe as the continents experience a warmer than normal month.
Earlier this month, health guru and Mail columnist Michael Mosley went missing while walking on the Greek island of Symi.
Mr Mosley’s disappearance sparked a five-day manhunt before his body was discovered.
Meanwhile, rescue teams on the island of Sikinos continue to search for two French women, aged 73 and 64, who have been missing for almost two weeks.
In Tenerife, Spanish police are also leading a search for missing 19-year-old bricklayer Jay Slater, who went missing eight days ago.
The Lancashire teenager has not been heard from since he called a friend to say he was lost, his phone battery was low and he needed water.