After snapping a selfie, US tourist falls into Mount Vesuvius
After trespassing to snap a photo, an American tourist plunged into Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano in Italy, according to local authorities.
The 23-year-old man plummeted several meters into the ash of the crater after dropping his phone and attempting to grab it after the selfie was taken. He was rescued on Saturday by park officials who were nearby. Officials said he only suffered minor injuries.
A spokesperson from the Forestry department of the Park of Vesuvius said that the man, who has not been named, walked on an unlawful trail to the summit of Mount Vesuvius at 1,281 meters.
According to a spokeswoman, tickets to visit Vesuvius, which cost $2,500 a day, were all sold out at the time of the man’s visit. As per the spokesperson, the man had ventured to an area of the crater that is off-limits to the public.
Volcanological guides in the park’s crater were noticed by local media at about 3 p.m. at an area of the crater that is prohibited for solo access.
When they saw the man trying to get his phone back, the guides rushed to his aid, Carabinieri’s spokeswoman said in a press release.
In addition, the guides treated the man’s minor injuries to his legs, arms, and back with the first aid supplies they had on hand.
According to a Carabinieri spokeswoman, two other Americans, two Brits, and one Austrian were with the American guy who fell.
Even though three members of the victim’s family were reportedly present, only one of them, according to the spokesperson, is related to the man who fell.
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It was not long before the Carabinieri arrived and rounded up everyone who had been evading capture. Encroachment of public territory or land for public use has been charged against them, Italian media reported.
Paolo Cappelli, head of the Volcano Vesuvius Permanent Presidium and the Figav-Confesercenti, expressed his gratitude to the guides in an interview with the Corriere Della Sera.
According to Cappelli’s statement, “[The guides] are always on the crater to safeguard the safety of tourists. So, recognizing the promptness and professionalism shown on this occasion as well seemed the right thing to do.”
“Having spoken directly with those who provided the rescue, I can safely say that last Saturday on Mount Vesuvius; they saved a human life. I officially thank the whole group of guides belonging to the Presidio Permanente Vulcano Vesuvio, always ready and operational in any condition,” an addition to Cappelli’s statement.
ABC News was told by an official with the Carabinieri of the Forestry department that if the guy had not been prevented by neighboring guides, he might have fallen 300 meters.
There are barriers around the opening on the other side of the crater, he explained, but there were none where this man was.
Officials said it is highly rare for guests to deviate from the designated route. A fine will be the only punishment the man will face.
