A tragic disaster off the coast of Sicily has led to the disappearance of six people, including British billionaire Mike Lynch, renowned for his prominent career in the tech industry. The luxurious yacht 'Bayesian,' measuring 56 meters, sank after being struck by a violent storm early Monday while anchored near Porticello, a town close to Palermo.
Lynch, who was recently acquitted of fraud charges in a federal trial in the United States, was celebrating his victory with family and friends aboard the 'Bayesian'. Among the missing are his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah Lynch, and Christopher Morvillo, one of the lawyers who defended him during the trial, along with his wife Neda. Additionally, Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International and a defense witness in Lynch's case, and his wife are also unaccounted for.
The yacht, registered under the British flag, sank rapidly after being hit by a water spout. Security camera footage showed the 75-meter mast of the 'Bayesian' disappearing in less than a minute, highlighting the storm's brutality.
So far, 15 of the 22 people on board have been rescued, including Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who survived the shipwreck, according to AP. Among the survivors is Charlotte Golunski, who kept her one-year-old daughter, Sofia, afloat until both were rescued by a nearby sailboat. The yacht's chef, originally from Antigua, is the only confirmed fatality so far.
Search and rescue operations have faced significant challenges due to the wreck's depth, located 50 meters underwater. Divers, who can only work in 12-minute shifts, have struggled to access the cabins where the missing are believed to be trapped. Access to these areas has been blocked by furniture and debris displaced during the storm, further complicating the mission.
The British Ambassador to Italy, Edward Llewellyn, visited the area and expressed his dismay over the tragedy, while the United Kingdom has dispatched a team of investigators to assist in the investigation of the shipwreck.
Local authorities have indicated that, although no evidence of fuel leaks has been found, the recovery of the yacht and the search for the missing are progressing slowly due to adverse conditions.
The 'Bayesian' tragedy has resonated across Europe, where Lynch and his companions were influential figures. The excursion, intended to celebrate the magnate's acquittal, has turned into a painful episode that has shocked the families and friends of the missing, who now face the agonizing wait for news from the depths of the sea.
Last weekend in Miami, a waterspout surprised residents of the Downtown area as it was sighted and recorded from several apartments. Footage captured from a building in the heart of the city showed the dangerous approach of this meteorological formation toward a yacht sailing in the bay. The video, shared by the site Only in Dade, captured the exact moment the waterspout seemed to head directly for the vessel. However, in a twist of events, the waterspout veered off at the last moment, fortunately avoiding disaster for the yacht's occupants.
FAQs on the Sicily Yacht Disaster
Given the tragic nature of the yacht disaster off the coast of Sicily, many questions have arisen. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions surrounding the incident.
Who is Mike Lynch?
Mike Lynch is a British billionaire known for his significant contributions to the tech industry. He was recently acquitted of fraud charges in a federal trial in the United States.
What caused the yacht to sink?
The yacht 'Bayesian' sank after being struck by a violent storm that produced a water spout, causing rapid and severe damage to the vessel.
Who are the other missing individuals?
Among the missing are Mike Lynch's daughter Hannah Lynch, lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda, as well as Jonathan Bloomer and his wife.
How are the search and rescue operations progressing?
The search and rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to the depth of the wreck, which is 50 meters underwater, and adverse conditions. Divers have had difficulty accessing the cabins where the missing are believed to be trapped.