Tech Mogul Mike Lynch Missing Following Yacht Tragedy Off Sicily
British tech mogul Mike Lynch is among six tourists reported missing after the tragic sinking of the yacht Bayesian near the coast of Sicily, Italy. According to local media, the incident occurred when the yacht was anchored off the Sicilian port of Porticello and was struck by a strong tornado. Eyewitnesses have stated that the tornado snapped the yacht's main mast, leading to the vessel tipping over and ultimately sinking.
Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was also on board and is one of the 15 survivors rescued by the Italian Coast Guard. Tragically, the rescue efforts have also revealed the discovery of a deceased individual, as reported by the BBC.
Mike Lynch, 59, is a prominent figure in the tech industry, having studied Physics, Mathematics, and Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. He is well-known for launching several recognition software companies and founding the tech company Autonomy in 1996. His success in technology has led to him being frequently referred to as the British Bill Gates, and he is considered one of the most influential tech entrepreneurs in the UK.
In 2011, Lynch sold Autonomy to tech giant Hewlett Packard (HP) for a staggering $11 billion, which netted him $800 million. However, this deal led to over 13 years of legal turmoil, as HP claimed to have uncovered significant accounting irregularities related to Autonomy. Lynch faced 17 charges—including fraud and conspiracy—that were later reduced to 15, leading to a protracted legal battle. He was acquitted of charges in June 2023 after spending over a year under house arrest in San Francisco, awaiting trial after being extradited from the UK.
In a poignant interview with The Times at the end of July, Lynch expressed his fears about the potential consequences of a conviction, stating that given his age and a severe lung condition, imprisonment in the U.S. could be life-threatening. "I have several medical conditions that would have made my survival difficult," he said, indicating the toll that the lengthy legal struggles had taken on his health.
Currently, divers are actively searching the hull of the submerged yacht, which lies at a depth of 49 meters. The operation is being supported by Coast Guard patrol boats and helicopters as the search for the missing individuals continues. Additional reinforcements of divers from Naples and Rome have also been deployed to assist in this urgent maritime search and rescue effort.
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