A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of Sicily as a luxury yacht carrying 22 individuals was hit by a tornado, resulting in one fatality and leaving six people, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, missing. The vessel was struck by the tornado early Monday morning while anchored near the port of Porticello on the Mediterranean island.
Among the missing are four Britons and two Americans, with Lynch, the founder of Autonomy, reported to have been a passenger on the yacht. Fifteen individuals were successfully rescued, with Lynch's wife and a child airlifted to safety. Unfortunately, eight people required hospitalization, and one body was discovered on the yacht's hull.
The severe weather conditions that led to the yacht's sinking included a small waterspout and heavy rainfall across Sicily. The European Severe Weather Database reported the development of a waterspout in the area, while other storms brought significant rainfall to parts of the region.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one individual describing the frantic efforts to protect their one-year-old daughter amidst the stormy seas. The captain of the yacht is among those who survived the ordeal.
The yacht, named the 'Bayesian,' was predominantly occupied by British passengers and crew, along with individuals from other nationalities. The Italian fire brigade deployed divers to search the sunken vessel, located 49 meters below sea level.
The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch is sending inspectors to Palermo to assess the yacht, owned by the Isle of Man-registered Revtom Limited company. Lynch, who has faced legal challenges in the past, was instrumental in establishing Autonomy as a leading software company.
This tragic event has brought sorrow and concern, with rescue efforts ongoing to locate the missing individuals and provide support to those affected by the yacht's sinking off the coast of Sicily.
