Tornado Sinks Luxury Yacht Off Sicily Coast: Latest Details
In a tragic maritime incident, a tornado caused a luxury yacht to sink off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning. Emergency services in southern Italy are engaged in a frantic search for six individuals still missing after the disaster, which has prompted a massive air and naval operation.
The Incident
The calamity unfolded when a small waterspout, a type of tornado, struck the Mediterranean island. The yacht, named the “Bayesian” and flying the British flag, was anchored just half a mile from Porticello on Sicily’s northern coast. Reports indicate that the vessel capsized when its mast broke in severe storm conditions, described by witnesses as having hurricane-like winds and intense rainfall.
Salvatore Cocina, head of Sicily’s Civil Protection, confirmed that the yacht sank after the mast’s collapse. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaotic scene, with powerful winds creating a storm of debris near the port. The nearby boat captain, Karsten Bower, shared that he and his crew managed to rescue four injured individuals before contacting the Italian Coast Guard, who later rescued additional survivors.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
By Monday, fifteen people had been rescued from the wreckage, though one body was recovered from the yacht’s hull. Among the missing are two Americans and four Britons, including high-profile figures like British tech investor Mike Lynch, Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and Chris Morvillo, a prominent lawyer.
The Italian fire brigade has deployed helicopters and divers to aid in the search and recovery operations. Despite a challenging environment, divers have managed to reach the yacht’s hull, located 49 meters (160 feet) below sea level.
Who Was Onboard?
The Bayesian had 22 people onboard, including British nationals, two Anglo-French, one Irish, and one Sri Lankan individual. Among the missing are Mike Lynch, who was involved in a high-profile fraud case in the U.S. earlier this year, and his 18-year-old daughter. Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, survived the ordeal and is recuperating in a Sicilian hospital.
Finance tycoon Jonathan Bloomer and lawyer Chris Morvillo are also among the missing. Morvillo was instrumental in successfully defending Lynch in a recent U.S. legal case. Survivors, including Bacares, have expressed deep concern for their missing companions.
Details About the Yacht
The 56-meter (184-foot) yacht, built in 2008 by Perini Navi, was valued at approximately $215,000 (€195,000) per week for charter. The vessel was known for its towering 72.27-meter (237 feet) mast, which was one of the tallest in the world. The yacht was linked to Lynch through the company Revtom Limited.
Perini Navi is renowned for its high-quality yachts, though experts suggest that dismasting during a severe storm could have compromised the vessel’s stability.
Weather Conditions and Waterspouts
The storm that hit Sicily was part of a broader weather pattern featuring torrential rains and high winds. Waterspouts, spinning columns of air over water, can intensify storm conditions and contribute to maritime disasters. Recent data indicates that Mediterranean Sea temperatures were unusually high, potentially fueling the severity of the storm.
Italian climatologist Luca Mercalli noted that warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy and humidity, creating ideal conditions for powerful storms.
As rescue efforts continue, the maritime community and families await further updates on the missing individuals and the full scope of the disaster’s impact.
