Tragedy Strikes as Luxury Yacht Sinks in Storm Off Sicily: Search for Missing Continues
Specialist cave divers are tirelessly working in 12-minute shifts as they search for six individuals, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who are believed to be trapped inside the wreck of a luxury yacht that rapidly sank off the coast of Sicily after being hit by a powerful storm. The yacht, known as the Bayesian, was anchored near the Mediterranean island of Sicily when it suddenly disappeared beneath the waves in the early hours of Monday at around 4 AM. Out of the 22 people on board, one body has been recovered, and 15 have survived.
Authorities have indicated that the six people still unaccounted for will be categorized as missing until they can be found within the submerged hull of the yacht. Eyewitnesses, including Karsten Borner—captain of another nearby yacht—recall seeing the Bayesian during the storm, but when the chaos subsided, it was gone. The only sign of the tragedy was a red flare illuminating the night sky.
The yacht, which sank approximately half a mile offshore from the scenic fishing village of Porticello, is found resting at a depth of 50 meters (about 163 feet). Rescue operations are being complicated by the challenging conditions under the water. Italian civil protection officials are investigating the incident, focusing on the sudden storm that whipped the area and triggered a waterspout at the exact location where the Bayesian was moored.
Among those missing, Mike Lynch, 59, is often compared to a British Bill Gates, having been acquitted in June of all charges from a US fraud trial related to the $11 billion sale of his software company, Autonomy, to Hewlett Packard in 2011. Although he was cleared in the criminal case, Lynch still faces potential financial repercussions from a civil case in the UK that concluded in 2022, where HP is pursuing $4 billion in damages.
The potential tragedy extends to Lynch’s family, as his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, is also listed among the missing. His wife, Angela Bacares, along with 14 others aboard the yacht, are reported to have survived. Other individuals unaccounted for include Christopher Morvillo, one of Lynch's attorneys, and his wife, Neda, both of whom are well-known figures in legal circles. Additionally, Jonathan Bloomer, the former head of the Autonomy audit committee, and his wife Judy are also missing.
Survivors, like Charlotte Golunski, recounted harrowing tales of struggle in the water. Golunski described a moment of sheer panic when she lost hold of her 1-year-old daughter, Sofia, but managed to pull her back to safety until a lifeboat arrived. Among the recovered, the onboard chef was confirmed deceased.
The Bayesian was a luxurious vessel, built in 2008 by the esteemed Italian manufacturer Perini Navi. Priced at times for charter at approximately €195,000 ($215,000) per week, the yacht was known for its impressive single mast, one of the tallest globally. Registered under the ownership of Revtom Ltd from the Isle of Man, Lynch's wife is named as the company's sole proprietor in corporate documents.
In the wake of the incident, local authorities have begun piecing together how such a catastrophic event could transpire. Waterspouts, often spawned by severe thunderstorms, can pose serious risks to maritime safety, and experts have emphasized that it is extremely rare for a yacht of the Bayesian's stature to capsize due to weather, as larger vessels are typically equipped to handle such conditions.
Skip Novak, an experienced sailor, asserted the unusual nature of this incident, suggesting that a combination of strong gusts and possible mismanagement of the ship’s internal safety could have led to its swift demise. As investigations unfold and rescue efforts progress, the maritime community watches closely, grappling with the unforeseen loss and the lives still at stake.
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