British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, shown here on March 18, is one of the six people still missing. CNN
Rescue teams are actively searching for six people, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who went missing after a tornado struck and sank a luxury yacht off Sicily. The accident occurred early Monday morning when the yacht, anchored near Porticello on the Mediterranean island, was hit by a violent tornado.
According to the Italian Coast Guard, the tornado, which developed over the area, caused the 56-meter yacht to sink swiftly. The yacht, named "Bayesian" and registered under the British flag, had 22 people on board at the time of the incident. One person has been confirmed dead, and their body was found on the yacht's hull. Of the 22 on board, 15 were rescued, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and a child who was airlifted to a hospital in Palermo. Eight people have been hospitalized, according to local officials.
The European Severe Weather Database reports that a small waterspout, a type of tornado, formed over the area early Monday. Heavy rain had already affected the region, with torrential downpours bringing over 4 inches of rain in a short period the previous evening. The weather forecast had warned of strong winds and storms across southern Italy, but the tornado's impact was more severe than anticipated.
Emergency teams are searching in Porticello Santa Flavia, Italy, on August 19, 2024. AP Photo
One of the survivors, Charlotte, 35, recounted the terrifying experience of trying to hold onto her one-year-old daughter, Sofia, amid the storm. She described losing her child briefly to the sea but managing to grab her again amidst the storm's fury. “Many were screaming,” she said, highlighting the chaos and danger of the situation.
The yacht's captain is among those who survived the ordeal. The vessel had primarily British passengers and crew, with a mix of other nationalities including Anglo-French, Irish, and Sri Lankan. The New Zealand government confirmed that two of its citizens were involved but were not among the missing. The nationality of the deceased person has not been revealed.
The Italian fire brigade has dispatched divers and helicopters to aid in the search. The divers have reached the yacht's hull, which is 49 meters underwater, while the helicopters assist in the search operation from above. A local boat captain described the fierce gales and how he had to start his engine to avoid crashing into the yacht.
Rescue teams are searching in Porticello Santa Flavia, Italy, on August 19, 2024. AP Photo
The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is sending a team of inspectors to Palermo to investigate the incident further. The investigation will focus on understanding what led to the yacht's sinking and whether there were any safety lapses.
Mike Lynch, the tech tycoon among the missing, had been a prominent figure in technology and innovation. He faced legal troubles related to his former company, Autonomy, which he sold to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion. Despite recent legal victories, Lynch remains a notable figure in the tech world.
Rescue workers are operating near Palermo, Italy, close to where the incident happened. Reuters
The yacht is owned by Revtom Limited, a company registered in the Isle of Man, with Bacares listed as the owner. The ongoing search and investigation aim to uncover more details about the tragedy and the fate of those still missing.
