An American tourist has survived a fall into Mount Vesuvius after trespassing to take a selfie, according to Italian police and local officials.
The 23-year-old man from Baltimore fell several metres into the active volcano in southern Italy on Saturday, after attempting to retrieve his phone, Naples police told local media.
After reaching the 1,281-metre-high summit, the tourist appeared to be taking a selfie when his phone slipped out his hand and into the volcano, which prompted him to descend into the crater, police said.
The president of the Volcano Vesuvius Permanent Presidium, Paolo Cappelli, told Naples newspaper ll Mattino that volcanological guides spotted the tourist and a fellow hiker in an area that was forbidden to access alone.
"With the use of the supplied binoculars, they immediately realised that one of the two had slipped inside the crater and was in serious trouble," Mr Cappelli said, according to a translation.
“Four volcanological guides were set in motion instantly and, arriving on site, one of them was lowered with a rope for about 15 metres to allow them to secure the unwary tourist."
He added that the tourist could have plunged up to 300 metres into the crater.
Mr Cappelli thanked the park officials for "saving a human life".
"The boy was brought to safety by our guides who then also provided him with first aid," he said.
The man was treated for multiple bruises on his legs, arms and back.
Police told CNN the man declined hospital treatment.
The tourist faces charges for trespassing.
