The captain of a rescue boat involved in the search and rescue operation for the luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily has described the incident as a “big disaster.” One man has been confirmed dead and six others are still missing after the 56m (183ft) vessel, carrying 22 people, including British, American, and Canadian nationals, sank in the early hours of Monday morning.
According to reports, the yacht, named Bayesian, encountered a heavy storm overnight that caused waterspouts to appear over the sea. Witnesses stated that the yacht’s anchor was down when the storm struck, causing the mast to break and the ship to lose its balance and sink.
Emergency services were able to rescue 15 people, including a one-year-old British girl, but British technology tycoon Mike Lynch is among those still missing. Divers have identified wreckage 50m below the water’s surface and are currently searching for the missing individuals.
Captain Karsten Borner, who was involved in the rescue operation, recounted how they found a life raft carrying 15 survivors, three of whom were heavily injured. The captain of a local fishing trawler also reported seeing debris floating in the sea, including cushions from the yacht’s deck.
The UK Foreign Office has stated that they are aware of the incident and are in contact with local authorities. The yacht is managed by Camper and Nicholsons International, whose spokesperson has stated that their priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing support to the rescued passengers and crew.
The western half of the Mediterranean has been experiencing severe storms, with bad weather passing by the north coast of Sicily. The incident has left many shocked and saddened, with hopes that the missing individuals will be found safe and sound.
