All for the sake of a selfie: an American tourist fell into an active volcano and almost died

Officials said an American tourist fell into Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano in Italy, after crossing a danger zone near the volcano's crater to take a selfie, reports ABC.

Photo: Shutterstock

On July 9, a 23-year-old man dropped his phone and tried to pick it up after taking a selfie. He fell several meters into the ash of the crater before being rescued by a nearby park.

He received only minor injuries, officials said.

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According to a Carabinieri spokesman for the Vesuvius Park Forestry Department, the man, who has not been named, was walking an unauthorized trail to reach the 1281-meter-high Mount Vesuvius.

The man took the unmarked trail because all the $2500 a day tickets to Vesuvius were booked.

According to the representative, the man came to the opposite side of the crater, where entry is prohibited.

Around 15:00 pm, local news sources reported that the park's volcanologist guides spotted several people at the top of the crater, where entry alone is prohibited.

According to a spokesman for the Carabinieri, the guides immediately began to move in that direction and were able to come to the aid of the man when they saw him trying to pick up his dropped mobile phone.

The guides also provided first aid to a man with minor injuries to his legs, arms and back.

According to a representative of the Carabinieri, two Americans, two Britons and one Austrian were with the fallen American.

Some local sources report that he had three family members with him, but a spokesman believes that only one of the other Americans is related to the fallen man.

A squad of carabinieri arrived on the scene after the man was rescued, taking him and others into custody. They were charged with trespassing on public or public land, according to Italian news.

Paolo Cappelli, president of the Permanent Presidium of Mount Vesuvius and Figav Confesercanti, said he was grateful for the work of the guides.

“Guides are always there to ensure the safety of the tourists. Thus, recognizing the promptness and professionalism shown in this case also seemed right,” Cappelli said.

“Having spoken directly with those who provided the rescue, I can safely say that they saved a human life on Vesuvius last Saturday. I formally thank the entire group of guides who are part of the Presidio Permanente Vulcano Vesuvio, always ready and active in any conditions,” added Capelli.

A spokesman for the Carabinieri of the Vesuvius Park Forestry Department said the man could have fallen from a height of 300 meters had he not been rescued by nearby guides.

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He said that on the opposite side of the crater, where visitors are allowed in, there are barriers around the hole, but where this man was, there were none.

It is extremely rare for visitors to deviate from the permitted path, the spokesperson said.

He added that he did not think any legal action would be taken against the man other than a fine.

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