Search intensifies for missing passengers after luxury sailboat tragedy off Sicily
Specialized search teams from Rome and Sardinia are intensifying their efforts to locate six missing passengers from the luxury sailboat Bayesan, which tragically sank off the Palermo coastline on Monday. The vessel was found submerged approximately 50 meters deep, with authorities focusing on the possibility that those unaccounted for may be trapped inside.
The Bayesan, carrying a total of 22 individuals, including 10 crew members and 12 passengers, was struck by a severe waterspout that led to its capsizing. Among the missing passengers are notable figures such as Jonathan Bloomer, president of Morgan Stanley International, and British entrepreneur Mike Lynch, alongside his daughter Hannah and lawyer Chris Morvillo.
Divers resumed their search efforts on Tuesday, following the recovery of a crew member's body, Ricardo Tomas, a French national originally from Antigua. Unfortunately, progress has been hindered as the interior of the sunken yacht is cluttered with debris, complicating rescue operations. Luca Cari, head of emergency communications at the Fire Department, characterized the situation, likening it to the infamous Costa Concordia disaster, noting the challenging conditions within the tight spaces of the sunken sailboat.
The Bayesan was designed for luxury voyages, measuring 56 meters in length and originally constructed by the renowned Italian shipyard Perini Navi in 2008. It was refurbished for modern comfort in 2020. Eyewitness accounts indicate the boat, anchored approximately 300 meters from the Porticello harbor at the time of the accident, was struck by a waterspout that damaged its main mast, ultimately causing it to capsize.
The Italian prosecutors’ office in Termini Imerese has commenced an investigation to determine the circumstances that allowed a vessel of such modern design to sink so rapidly while nearby boats remained unharmed. This tragedy raises concerns about maritime safety, particularly for luxury yachts that are expected to withstand such weather phenomena.
As rescue operations continue, the survivors are receiving medical attention. Among them are Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, and a family that includes a three-person unit with a one-year-old girl. The mother recounted a harrowing experience of nearly losing her daughter during the chaos as the sailboat overturned. Their rapid rescue by the Dutch sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell, which responded to distress flares, was a pivotal moment in saving lives.
Karsten Börner, the commander of the rescue vessel, explained that they were en route to the port when they noticed the Bayesan was missing and immediately investigated after seeing firing distress flares. Their timely intervention, alongside the efforts of Coast Guard units deployed thereafter, undoubtedly played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of those who survived the incident.
With the investigation in full swing and rescue operations ongoing, the maritime community and the families of the victims are awaiting clarity on this unfortunate event, which has stirred concerns about the safety of sea travel in extreme weather conditions.
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