A British tourist has died while climbing Mount Vesuvius after he reportedly suffered a heart attack as he approached the summit of the volcano.
The 56-year-old man, identified by Italian media as Mark John Irwin, lived in the United States and was vacationing in Italy with his wife and two children.
Irwin fell ill near the summit of the volcano and, despite the efforts of rescuers to save him, died while still on the volcano.
In recent days, Italy has faced a heat wave that has seen temperatures soar to 40°C in some parts of the country.
However, when Irwan was climbing the mountain on Sunday, the temperature was around 27°C, said the president of a Vesuvius mountain guides association.
A British tourist has died while hiking Mount Vesuvius (pictured) after he reportedly suffered a heart attack as he approached the top of the famous volcano. (archive image)
Mount Vesuvius seen from Pompeii. Mr. Irwin suddenly fell ill near the top of the volcano. Despite the efforts of rescuers to save him, he died instantly.
Tourists in Rome brave the heat wave in Rome. In recent days, Italy has been dealing with a heatwave that has seen temperatures soar as high as 40°C in some parts of the country.
speaking to The Telegraph, Paolo Cappelli said: ‘It’s very sad. It is quite rare for this to happen on Vesuvius.
“We have one death every one or two years, which is not much considering the fact that around 3,000 people climb to the top of the volcano every day.”
Across Europe, several tourists have died as continents battle a warmer-than-usual June.
Earlier this month, health guru and Mail columnist Michael Mosley disappeared while walking on the Greek island of Symi.
Mosley’s disappearance sparked a five-day search before his body was discovered.
Meanwhile, rescue teams continue searching on the island of Sikinos for two French women, aged 73 and 64, who have been missing for almost two weeks.
In Tenerife, Spanish police are also leading the search for bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, who disappeared eight days ago.
The Lancashire teenager has not been heard from since he called a friend to say he was lost, his phone was running out of battery and he needed water.