A British-flagged luxury yacht sank in a violent storm off the northern coast of Sicily on Monday, resulting in one confirmed death and six people reported missing.
Incident Details
The 183-foot yacht, named Bayesian, went down around 5 a.m. local time near the fishing village of Porticello. The vessel was anchored approximately half a mile from shore when it capsized amidst what authorities have described as a “violent storm,” with some reports suggesting a whirlwind-like phenomenon.
Casualties and Rescues
The body of the yacht’s chef, whose nationality has not been disclosed, has been recovered. Among the 15 people rescued were Angela Bacares, the yacht’s owner, and her 1-year-old daughter, who narrowly escaped tragedy when she slipped from her mother’s grasp in the stormy waters. The rescued also include a mix of American and British nationals. The search-and-rescue operation involves four coast guard vessels, two helicopters, and two dive teams.
Search Efforts
Rescuers are still searching for the missing individuals, including Mike Lynch, the British tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Autonomy and Darktrace, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. The yacht, which sank to a depth of over 160 feet, is believed to have trapped some passengers in their rooms. Initial attempts by cave divers to search inside the vessel were unsuccessful due to limited access and obstructed passages.
Background
The Bayesian is owned by Revtom, a company controlled by Bacares and registered in the Isle of Man. The yacht had 22 people aboard at the time of the sinking, including 12 passengers and 10 crew members. The survivors, including eight people and the infant girl, have been taken to hospitals in stable condition.
Mike Lynch’s Profile
Mike Lynch, a prominent British tech entrepreneur, is known for founding Autonomy, which was sold to Hewlett-Packard in 2011 for over $11 billion. He faced legal issues in the U.S. over allegations of fraud but was ultimately acquitted. As of May, Lynch and Bacares’s combined wealth was estimated at $649 million, down from $1.08 billion the previous year.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local fisherman Pietro Asciutto reported witnessing the yacht’s sudden disappearance amid the storm. “I saw it sink with my own eyes,” Asciutto said, describing the yacht as having a large single mast before it vanished.
Ongoing Situation
The search for the missing continues, with authorities working to confirm the identities of all individuals involved and the precise circumstances of the yacht’s sinking.
