Devastating Yacht Sinking off Sicily: One Dead, Six Missing Including Tech Entrepreneur Mike Lynch

A devastating incident off the coast of Sicily has resulted in the sinking of a superyacht, with one confirmed fatality and six individuals, including tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, still missing. The yacht, carrying primarily British nationals, was struck by a tornado and sank early this morning.

Yacht Incident Overview

The superyacht was caught in severe weather conditions and sank within minutes, as reported by Karsten Borner, the captain of a nearby vessel that participated in the rescue operations. The storm hit suddenly in the dead of night, leading to the yacht capsizing and disappearing quickly.

Survivors and Missing People

Tream News has gathered that among the 15 individuals rescued is Angela Bacares, the wife of the missing businessman Mike Lynch. Tragically, six people remain unaccounted for, including Lynch and at least three other Britons. The survivors, including a one-year-old girl, are reportedly “deeply disturbed” by the ordeal.

Local Response and Rescue Efforts

Roberto Lagalla, the Mayor of Palermo, expressed his condolences and gratitude to the rescue teams involved. Lagalla praised the Italian coastguard and firefighters for their swift and effective response. The yacht’s management company, Camper & Nicholsons International, confirmed that the vessel was caught in severe weather and is cooperating with the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

MP ‘desperately sorry’ over yacht sinking

The UK’s shadow foreign minister for Europe, Alicia Kearns, has said she is “desperately sorry” to hear of the sinking of the ship.

The Conservative MP said her thoughts were with “all the families of those lost at sea” and “those recovering following the rescue operation”.

Yacht Captain’s Account

According to Karsten Borner, the superyacht tipped onto its side and sank almost immediately after the storm struck. Borner’s crew were the first to come to the aid of those on board, managing to maintain control of their own vessel amidst the chaos. Once the storm had passed, they realized the yacht was no longer in sight.

Yacht Management and Investigation

Camper & Nicholsons International, the yacht’s managing company, stated that their priority is to assist with the search and provide support to the rescued passengers and crew. The yacht was British-flagged, and the Foreign Office has confirmed that they are in contact with local authorities and are prepared to offer consular support to affected British nationals.

Search and Recovery

Emergency crews have transported a body bag to shore, indicating the unfortunate loss of one of the missing passengers. The yacht had left Milazzo, Sicily, last Wednesday and was last tracked near Palermo with an “at anchor” status.

The situation remains fluid as search and rescue operations continue. The UK Foreign Office has pledged to support the affected families and assist with the ongoing investigation into the tragic event.

Updates and Contact Information

For those seeking further information, the Foreign Office is in contact with Italian authorities and stands ready to provide assistance.

This tragic event underscores the dangers of severe weather at sea and the critical importance of robust safety measures for maritime travel.