A young Brit has died in a tragic accident at the "volcano from hell" in Ecuador.
Gil Banks, 25, was attempting to climb up the Rucu Pichincha volcano near Quito on Sunday, August 14, when he fell to his death.
Banks was originally born in London and grew up in Newton Mearns before he emigrated with his family to Israel, Glasgow Live reported.
He leaves behind his Glaswegian father and English mother following the sad accident.
His horror death was confirmed by the Israeli Embassy in Ecuador.
They said: "The Embassy of Israel in Ecuador laments the death of young Israeli Gil Banks, who suffered a fall while attempting to scale the Rucu Pichincha volcano, located in Quito-Ecuador, on Sunday, August 14.
"The embassy is carrying out the corresponding process following the death of the 25-year-old Israeli.
"We express our solidarity for this profound loss and extend our most sincere condolences to family and friends."
The Times of Israel reported Banks had recently finished serving in an elite military unit and was travelling around South America.
Gil's friends paid tribute to him, saying he had a "great smile".
Friend and triathlon coach Eduardo Finkelstein said: "I remember him, with his wild red hair and great smile. He was an extraordinary runner.
"My sincerest condolences for the family at this time.
"You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time."
Childhood friend Oz Hochman added: "It was a great honour and fun for me to be part of his journey that was supposed to end completely differently.
"I can't believe I'm separating from you but, on the other hand, I know that experiences with you will accompany me until the end of the world.'"
The huge Pinchincha volcano tops out at a dizzying 4,784m high and its most recent eruption was in August 1998, leaving Quito covered in a few inches of ash.
It earned its hellish nickname in the 18th century when French geographer Charles-Marie de La Condamine spent 23 days on the summit members of the French Geodesic Mission.
More recent reports say other safety problems hit the tourist spot, with armed robberies taking place on hiking trails.
The US embassy even issued a security alert in December 2021, asking people to be vigilant, travel in groups or pairs and not to resist if they are targeted.
