An American tourist was recently rescued from Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. The cause? The 23-year-old Brooklyn man was attempting to retrieve his mobile phone that had dropped into the infamous volcano.
The carabinieri of the provincial command of Naples report the man was hiking an unauthorized trail accompanied by three relatives, as were at least two other tourists. The path had clear signs warning of danger, and intrusion was expressly forbidden. Thankfully, the man did not suffer any significant injury, only sustaining bruises on his hands, arms, and back. After being rescued, he was treated by an ambulance at the scene, but declined to be taken to the hospital.
Mount Vesuvius is perhaps best known for burying the city of Pompeii and Herculaneum in a cataclysmic explosion of ash and dust in 79 AD. Pompeii remains a popular tourist destination, housing well-preserved buildings, cursed artifacts, and priceless busts that may also be available at your local Goodwill. However, this was not the only time Vesuvius has erupted. The last officially recorded eruption happened as recently as 1944, and the volcano is officially listed as active. The 1,277 meter (4,190 foot) tall volcano is in a state that volcanologists call “repose.” This means that it isn’t likely to go off again any time soon but you probably shouldn’t throw your phone or body down into the 300 meter (984 foot) crater either.
There no word yet on whether or not the Italian prosecutor will pursue formal charges of invasion of public territory.
