Tragedy struck off the coast of Sicily as a luxury yacht sank after being hit by a tornado, leaving six people missing and one confirmed dead. Among those missing is British tech tycoon Mike Lynch.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on Monday when the yacht, anchored about half a mile from the Port of Porticello, was caught in the violent storm. Italy’s Coast Guard reported that 22 people were on board when the tornado struck. Four Britons and two Americans are among those unaccounted for.
Mike Lynch, known for founding the software giant Autonomy, was confirmed to be a passenger on the yacht. His wife, Angela Bacares, was among the 15 individuals rescued. The Coast Guard also recovered one body from the hull of the yacht, which now lies 160 feet below sea level. Additionally, eight people were hospitalized, including a child who was airlifted to Palermo’s children’s hospital.
The Mediterranean storm wreaked havoc across Sicily, with other areas experiencing torrential rains and severe weather. The European Severe Weather Database reported that a waterspout had formed early Monday morning, contributing to the disaster. The Coast Guard had previously issued warnings of potential strong winds and storms across southern Italy.
One of the survivors, 35-year-old Charlotte, recounted the harrowing experience of trying to save her one-year-old daughter, Sofia, as the yacht was overwhelmed by waves. ‘In a moment, I lost her in the sea, but I managed to grab her again amidst the chaos,’ she told reporters.
The 56-meter yacht, named the ‘Bayesian,’ was primarily carrying British passengers and crew, along with a few from other nationalities. The Italian fire brigade has been heavily involved in the search and rescue operations, deploying divers to reach the sunken yacht and using helicopters to aid in the effort.
Nearby vessels also felt the force of the storm. A captain of one such boat described how they had to start their engine to avoid colliding with the Bayesian, only to find that the yacht had disappeared after the storm subsided.
In response to the tragedy, the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch is sending a team of inspectors to Palermo to conduct an initial assessment. The timeline for their arrival is not yet known.
Mike Lynch’s disappearance comes after years of legal battles, including a recent acquittal of fraud charges in San Francisco. His company, Autonomy, was once the pride of British technology, making him a key advisor to the UK government on innovation.
The yacht, according to maritime records, is owned by Revtom Limited, a company registered in the Isle of Man, with Angela Bacares listed as the owner in the most recent filings