Tributes have been pouring in for the “genius” Mike Lynch as the desperate search for his 18-year-old daughter Hannah has been called off until the morning.
The British technology entrepreneur was identified on Thursday as one of the five bodies discovered on the wreckage of his superyacht the previous day.
The Italian coastguard also confirmed that the bodies of Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judith Bloomer, lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo have all now been recovered from the Bayesian in Sicily.
Among the tributes that have been paid to all five, David Tabizel, Mr Lynch’s co-founder at Autonomy, said: “The world has lost a genius.”
Divers and underwater vehicles continued to scour the scene for a fourth day as Mr Lynch’s youngest daughter remains unaccounted for after the 56-metre vessel sank in a severe storm in the early hours of Monday.
However, the search was called off at around 8pm on Thursday with divers expected to begin again at 6.30am on Friday.
The boat’s chef Recaldo Thomas was confirmed dead on Monday, while a further 15 people survived the disaster.
Key Points
- Search for Mike Lynch’s daughter Hannah called off until Friday morning
- Tributes paid to Mike Lynch after tech mogul’s death confirmed
- Christopher and Neda Morvillo’s family pay tribute to ‘devoted, loving’ parents
- Family pay tribute to ‘incredible’ Jonathan and Judy Bloomer
- Five bodies now found on sunken luxury yacht off coast of Sicily
Christopher Morvillo’s law firm ‘heartbroken’ at death of US lawyer and wife Neda
22:07
Tara Cobham
Christopher Morvillo’s law firm has said it is “heartbroken” at the tragic death of the US lawyer and his wife Neda.
In a statement issued to The Independent on Thursday, a Clifford Chance spokesperson said: “We are heartbroken at the tragic passing of our partner, Christopher Morvillo and his wife, Neda. We are deeply saddened and still coming to terms with this terrible loss. Our utmost priority is to continue to support Chris's family at this very distressing time. Our thoughts extend to the families and loved ones of all those affected.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences and our love and support to Chris’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We also want to thank the Italian authorities and rescue teams for everything they have done.”
Decision on raising yacht from seabed ‘not on agenda’, says coastguard
22:00
Tara Cobham
A decision on whether to raise the sunken yacht from the seabed is "not on the agenda", but will be in the future, a spokesman from the Italian Coastguard has said.
Vincenzo Zagarola told PA: "This is not a topic on the agenda. It will be, but not now."
Search for Mike Lynch’s daughter Hannah called off until Friday morning
21:26
Tara Cobham
The search for Mike Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah was called off at around 8pm in Sicily on Thursday.
Divers are expected to begin scouring the wreck of the Bayesian superyacht again at 6.30am on Friday.
'Indescribable' crew errors led to Sicily shipwreck, yacht maker says
21:00
Tara Cobham
A series of "indescribable, unreasonable errors" by the crew led to the shipwreck in which British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six others died earlier this week, the yacht manufacturer's CEO told Reuters on Thursday.
The British-flagged Bayesian, a 56-metre-long (184-foot) superyacht with 22 people aboard - 12 passengers and 10 crew - capsized and sank on Monday within minutes of being hit by a pre-dawn storm while anchored off the coast of northern Sicily.
"The boat suffered a series of indescribable, unreasonable errors, the impossible happened on that boat ... but it went down because it took on water. From where, the investigators will tell," Giovanni Costantino said in an interview.
Costantino helms The Italian Sea Group, which includes Perini Navi, the Italian high-end yacht maker that built the Bayesian in 2008. The vessel has been refitted twice, last in 2020, but not by Perini.
The CEO ruled out any design or construction errors, which he called unlikely after 16 years of trouble-free navigation, including in more severe weather than on Monday.
He blamed the Bayesian's crew for the "incredible mistake" of not being prepared for the storm, which had been announced in shipping forecasts. "This is the mistake that cries out for vengeance," he said.
Costantino said passengers should have been summoned out of their cabins and assembled at a point of safety while the boat was being prepared for the storm by pulling up the anchor, closing doors and hatches, lowering the keel to increase stability and other measures.
Six out of 12 passengers died in the shipwreck, and five bodies were found inside the wreck. Emergency services are still trying to locate the body of the last missing person, Lynch's daughter Hannah.
Had correct procedures been followed, all passengers would have gone back to sleep after one hour "and the next morning they would have happily resumed their wonderful cruise," Costantino said.
Another yacht anchored near the Bayesian escaped unharmed. The captain of the sunken yacht and other crew members have not commented publicly on the disaster, while Italian prosecutors investigating it are due to hold a press conference on Saturday.
Watch: Mike Lynch’s friend mourns ‘unbelievably tragic’ death after fraud trial acquittal
20:30
Tara Cobham
Mike Lynch described as ‘extraordinary, intellectual, inventive, humorous and generous'
20:00
Tara Cobham
Mike Lynch has been described as a “truly extraordinary, intellectual, inventive, humorous and generous man” by a colleague.
Martina King, chief executive of Featurespace, a fraud prevention company, said: “It is a high statistical probability that Featurespace wouldn’t be a thriving technology company without Mike.
“Our co-founders, Professor Bill Fitzgerald and Dave Excell, were inspired by Mike’s combination of intellect and commercial acumen. They benefited from his friendship and guidance.
“Mike’s personal investment in Featurespace supported the development of an invention that has proved fundamental in the progress of AI and he served as a Non-Executive Director for over 10 years from 2008 – 2019.
“Mike was a true champion of the UK technology sector, including the need for greater diversity and advocated for many female leaders, including me.
“Cambridge, the technology sector, colleagues and friends will be unable to calculate the loss of this truly extraordinary, intellectual, inventive, humorous and generous man. He will be sorely and deeply missed.”
Christopher and Neda Morvillo’s family pay tribute to ‘devoted, loving’ parents
19:22
Tara Cobham
The family of Christopher and Neda Morvillo have paid tribute to the “devoted, loving” parents after their deaths in the Bayesian superyacht tragedy were confirmed.
In a statement issued to Sky News, they said: “We are completely devastated by the passing of Chris and Neda, and our collective hearts go out to all the families who have also been affected by this senseless tragedy.
"Chris and Neda were each widely respected for their professional successes, Chris as a distinguished attorney and Neda as a skilled jewellery designer, but their true talents were that of mother and father, son and daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt and dear friends to so many.
"Neda and Chris lived their lives as devoted, loving parents who always put their daughters and families first. Their passing is a tremendous loss for our family and for the countless people who knew and loved them both.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to the Italian rescue services for their unwavering dedication and to Clifford Chance for all the support they have provided.
"As we grieve this enormous loss, our primary focus remains on Chris and Neda's daughters and other loved ones, and we respectfully request privacy."
Friend and mentee of Mike Lynch says he was a ‘loving and much-loved’ father and husband
19:13
Tara Cobham
A friend and mentee of Mike Lynch has said he was “unfailingly supportive” and “fiercely loyal”, as well as a “loving and much-loved” father and husband.
Suranga Chandratillake, partner at Balderton, a venture capital firm in London, said: “Mike Lynch’s PhD at Cambridge put him at the very forefront of modern artificial intelligence.
“More than just technology, however, Mike contributed vastly to its commercialisation. Mike didn’t just invent things, he built products and companies.
“By my count, he founded over 10 technology companies and was instrumental in the building of three that became multi-billion dollar public companies (Autonomy, blinkx and DarkTrace) – a personal track record without equal in the UK’s technology ecosystem.
“I worked for Mike for five years and he then served on my board at blinkx for close to a decade.
“I can share that he was an unfailingly supportive mentor who challenged and supported in equal measure.
“Years before Covid, he mastered hybrid work, splitting his time between Cambridge (where the tech was built), London (where it was sold) and Suffolk (which he loved dearly), and juggled leading his work with being a loving and much-loved dad and husband.
“He was famously fiercely competitive but, to his friends, equally fiercely loyal and always ready for a cup of tea and a chat.
“The loss to the UK’s technology ecosystem is incalculable but I am as sad to lose an old friend and all my thoughts are with his wonderful family who are facing an unthinkable double tragedy at this time.”
Company Darktrace describes founding investor Mike Lynch as ‘champion of tech sector’
19:03
Tara Cobham
The company Darktrace, in which Mike Lynch was a founding investor, has described the British entrepreneur as “an active champion of the UK’s technology sector”.
In a statement issued to The Independent, a spokesperson said: “We are shocked and saddened by the news confirming the death of Mike Lynch and the other victims of this terrible tragedy.
“Mike was a founding investor in Darktrace, an active champion of the UK’s technology sector, and a committed husband and father. His loss will be felt by many.
“Our thoughts are with his family and all the families who have lost loved ones in this awful event.”
Tributes paid to victims of yacht disaster as search continues for Mike Lynch’s daughter
18:49
Tara Cobham
Tributes have been paid to those who have died following the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht owned by tech tycoon Mike Lynch.
The yacht sank with 22 passengers and crew onboard after a freak storm off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of Monday, with six people on board confirmed to have died as the search continues for the final missing passenger.
Tech tycoon Mike Lynch, Morgan Stanley banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judith Bloomer, lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, were all identified this morning after their bodies were recovered.
My colleague Alex Croft reports:
Mike Lynch was a ‘visionary unlike any other’, says chief at company he founded
18:39
Tara Cobham
The chief executive of legal AI company Luminance has paid tribute to its founder Mike Lynch, saying he was a "visionary unlike any other" following his death in the luxury yacht disaster off the coast of Sicily.
Eleanor Lightbody said in a statement: "I am devastated to hear the news about our founding investor, Mike Lynch, and all of those involved in this tragic accident.
"Mike was a visionary unlike any other. He had a unique ability to spot the next technological revolution and solve tomorrow's challenges before others even knew they were coming.
"Beyond that, it was his connection to people that made him special. He had a steadfast belief in the UK's technology sector, in our incredible academic institutions, and in the talent he took the time to spot and nurture, regardless of background or discipline.
"Above all, Mike was a kind man who had an impact on many and will be sorely missed. I feel honoured to have known him, worked with him and learnt from him over the years.
"The UK has lost someone with the means, authority, knowledge and drive to propel the UK into technological leadership, but his legacy will live on in all of the extraordinary businesses he built and mentored, as well as his family who are in my thoughts."
Family friend says his ‘life was enriched’ by spending time with Mike Lynch
17:58
Tara Cobham
A family friend has said spending time with Mike Lynch left him feeling his “life was enriched by the experience”.
In a statement issued on his behalf to The Independent, Patrick Jacob said: “Mike’s ability to identify and solve complex problems was phenomenal as was his ability to simplify and explain them.
“As a friend, Mike was never dull and always ready for a lively debate on almost any topic conducted with intelligence and convivial vigour.
“He could be challenging and direct, but I never came away from seeing him without feeling my life was enriched by the experience.”
Mr Lynch called the ‘Steve Jobs of Britain’ by co-founder
17:34
Tara Cobham
Mike Lynch’s co-founder has called him a “human supercomputer” and the “Steve Jobs of Britain”.
David Tabizel, who co-founded Autonomy with Mr Lynch, told the BBC the British tech tycoon “loved having his brain lit up”, describing him as a great polymath who had an inquisitive mind.
Praising his loyalty to his friends, Mr Tabizel said Mr Lynch had “an amazing gift to get to the nub of things, to get to the truth ... He was a child. At the same time, he was a moral giant ... He was certainly the brightest person I’ve ever met. To me he’s the Steve Jobs of Britain.
“I miss him. I loved him.”
Mr Tabizel also said Mr Lynch had endured “an unjust legal interruption” and that it was tragic he had died “just when he was about to reclaim his status and his position in society”.
He said: “It feels a bit like the Post Office scandal ... Just because a group of people are being accused, doesn’t mean they are guilty.”
Judith Bloomer described as a ‘champion for women’s health'
17:05
Tara Cobham
Judith Bloomer has been described as a “champion for women’s health” following her tragic death on board the Bayesian superyacht in Sicily.
For more than 20 years, she was a supporter of the gynaecological cancer research charity the Eve Appeal, both as trustee and committee member, the charity said.
Its chief executive Athena Lamnisos called Ms Bloomer "our very dear friend".
The appeal added that she was a "champion for women's health, medical research and all that the Eve Appeal stands for".
Ms Bloomer was educated at Homerton College, Cambridge, where she studied English language and literature, and started her career as a teacher.
She later worked as a psychotherapist for nearly 30 years, specialising in anxiety and stress.
She was also a former director of property developer Change Real Estate, a property firm in Bristol which was founded by Mr Bloomer.
Sally Bailey, a former chairwoman of charity Pilot Light, wrote that Ms Bloomer was a "wonderful friend" to the Eve Appeal, and "a kind and caring person".
In pictures: Fourth day of search of Bayesian wreck as Hannah Lynch still missing
16:53
Tara Cobham
Jonathan Bloomer was a ‘giant in financial services’, says Hargreaves Lansdown
16:47
Tara Cobham
Investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown paid tribute to Jonathan Bloomer, who was previously a board director at the firm, as a “giant in financial services”.
The group said: “We are all deeply saddened by this tragic event.
“Jonathan was a giant in financial services, and we remember him fondly at Hargreaves Lansdown as someone who made a major impact on the business with his wealth of experience when he served on the board from 2006-2013 including as our senior independent director.
“We in the Hargreaves Lansdown family will miss him and our thoughts go out to his loved ones, as well as those of the others lost in this awful disaster.”
Insurance group Hiscox chief ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by Bloomers’ deaths
16:46
Tara Cobham
The chief executive of insurance group Hiscox has responded to the deaths of Jonathan and Judy Bloomer.
Aki Hussain said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by Jonathan and Judy’s tragic deaths.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to their family and friends at this devastating time.
“It was a privilege to have known Jonathan and to have benefited from his generosity and wisdom over the last year in his role as chair of Hiscox.
“His deep experience across our industry and in the broader business arena, combined with his personal values, made him both an excellent chair and a person I was proud to know and work with.
“His advice and support were immensely valuable to me, and he will be dearly missed.”
Morgan Stanley chief praises Jonathan Bloomer’s ‘spirit of kindness’
16:38
Tara Cobham
The chief executive of Morgan Stanley has paid tribute to Jonathan Bloomer, the bank’s international chairman, following his death in the sinking of a luxury yacht in Sicily.
Ted Pick said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic news.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the Bloomer family and all those affected by this tragedy.
“Jonathan’s leadership and experience helped the firm manage a period of complex change for our international businesses.
“He has been a friend and mentor to many and we will all greatly miss his wise counsel and spirit of kindness.”
Tributes paid to Mike Lynch after tech mogul’s death confirmed
16:30
Tara Cobham
Figures from the business and technology sectors have paid tribute to Mike Lynch after the tech mogul’s death was confirmed on Thursday.
Mr Lynch was confirmed to have died aged 59 after a luxury yacht, Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily.
He was the creator of software giant Autonomy, which grew to become one of the most prominent tech firms on the planet.
Alex Daniel reports:
Mike Lynch had ‘most brilliant mind’ and was ‘most caring person', says close friend
16:28
Tara Cobham
Mike Lynch has been described as having “the most brilliant mind” and being “the most caring person” by a close friend and colleague.
Andrew Kanter told the BBC: “Over nearly a quarter century I had the privilege of working beside someone unrivalled in their understanding of technology and business."
He added: “There is simply no other UK technology entrepreneur of our generation who has had such an impact on so many people. His passion for life, knowledge and all those around him was instantly inspiring to everyone he met, and he will be sorely missed."
Mike Lynch ‘considered selling Bayesian’ in months leading up to deadly Sicily trip
16:11
Tara Cobham
British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch considered selling his superyacht the Bayesian in the months leading up to the deadly trip to Sicily, it has been revealed.
Mr Lynch put the £30 million sailboat up for sale in March but later changed his mind after he was acquitted of fraud, industry sources told The Telegraph. He reportedly withdrew it from the market four months later and was going to review the decision in autumn after enjoying the summer on board.
Family pay tribute to ‘incredible’ Jonathan and Judy Bloomer
16:06
Tara Cobham
The family of Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy have described them as "incredible people and an inspiration to many" following their deaths in the sinking of the luxury yacht in Sicily.
In a statement issued on Thursday, they said: “We are grieving for our loved ones and all of those affected by the tragedy.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency services and everyone who helped tirelessly in this rescue operation.
“Our parents were incredible people and an inspiration to many, but first and foremost they were focused on and loved their family and spending time with their new grandchildren.
“Together for five decades, our only comfort is that they are still together now.
“This is an unimaginable grief to shoulder. Our only ask is that our family’s privacy is respected at this time.”
BBC director-general praises Mr Lynch as ‘wise, generous and insightful'
15:30
Tara Cobham
Tim Davie, BBC director-general, has paid tribute after the death of technology mogul Mike Lynch.
He said: “We are deeply saddened by the awful news about the deaths of those aboard the Bayesian yacht.
“Mike Lynch was an outstanding BBC director who made a major contribution during his time on the board, from 2007 to 2012.
“Wise, generous and insightful, he played a particularly key role in accelerating our transformation as a digital organisation.
“Our thoughts are with his family and all others involved.”
British Library describes Mr Lynch as ‘thoughtful, perceptive and supportive’ in tribute
15:14
Tara Cobham
Responding to the death of Mike Lynch, the chief executive of the British Library said the technology mogul was “thoughtful, perceptive and supportive”.
Mr Lynch previously served on the board of several prominent institutions, including the British Library and the BBC, and was a trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sir Roly Keating said: “Mike’s extraordinary understanding of technology, combined with his passion for the British Library’s mission to share knowledge, made him an invaluable member of our board.
“He was thoughtful, perceptive and supportive, and will be deeply missed by all of us who worked with him in his time here.”
Who is Hannah Lynch? British tech tycoon’s teenage daughter at centre of Bayesian search
15:05
Holly Evans
The daughter of British entrepreneur Mike Lynch is the final person left to be found after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily, with emergency workers saying that she remains their “priority”.
Hannah Lynch, 18, had been onboard her tech tycoon father’s luxury boat alongside 20 others, when the Bayesian capsized during stormy weather.
The bodies of Mr Lynch, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, have all been recovered from the wreckage and identified.
Read the full article here:
Hannah Lynch still missing, Italian official says
14:55
Holly Evans
Mike Lynch’s daughter Hannah remains missing after the Bayesian yacht capsized and sank on Monday morning, an Italian government official has said.
Her tech tycoon father’s body was recovered from the vessel on Thursday morning and brought ashore.
Massimo Mariani, an interior ministry official, added that she may be inside the wreck or could have been tossed into the sea as the boat sank.
Cancer Research pay tribute to Mike Lynch
14:43
Holly Evans
The chief executive of Cancer Research UK has added to the tributes paid to Mike Lynch after confirmation of his death on Thursday.
Michelle Mitchell said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Mike Lynch and all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
“Together with his wife, Angela, Mike was a valued donor to Cancer Research UK and a member of the board for our Create the Change campaign, which funded the building of the Francis Crick Institute.
“His support has helped to bring leading scientists together under one roof to tackle the biggest health challenges faced by humankind, including cancer.
“Our sincerest condolences go out to all the families affected.”
Who are the victims of the Bayesian yacht sinking?
14:22
Holly Evans
The bodies of those found in the search for six people missing after the sinking of a luxury yacht during a storm off the coast of Sicily are being recovered from the wreckage.
Five bodies have now been brought to shore in the small fishing village of Porticello, around 11 miles from the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
On Thursday, the Italian Coastguard confirmed to the PA news agency that the sixth and final person yet to be found is a woman.
Read the full article here:
Mike Lynch’s death like a ‘Shakespearean era tragedy'
14:09
Holly Evans
The timing of Mike Lynch’s death has been likened to a Shakespearean tragedy by his friend.
Brent Hoberman, the lastminute.com founder and friend of Mr Lynch, told BBC: “It’s very tragic and the timing is of a Shakespearean era tragedy.”
Mr Hoberman added: “He had just worked hard to clear his name for the last 12 years and was on a celebratory cruise with the people who supported him so much through that really tough time.”
Mike Lynch’s business co-founder pays tribute
13:41
Holly Evans
Mike Lynch’s Autonomy co-founder David Tabizel has paid tribute to him, saying “the world has lost a genius”.
In a post on social media site X, he said: “It looks like we’ve lost our dear Dr Mike Lynch. RIP. The world has lost a genius. His family have lost a giant of a man.”
It looks like we’ve lost our dear Dr Mike Lynch. RIP. The world has lost a genius. His family have lost a giant of a man. #MikeLynch #Autonomy pic.twitter.com/eBesEwOe88
— David Tabizel (@Tabizel) August 21, 2024
Seven key unanswered questions around the sinking of the Bayesian
13:30
Holly Evans
With the Bayesian lying on her side 50 metres underneath the now gentle waters of the Mediterranean, mystery still surrounds how the 56-metre superyacht, sank in the typhoon off the port of Porticello.
Remotely controlled underwater vehicles and cave divers are looking to raise the yacht, which experts will examine in the coming days. For now, the focus is on finding the final sixth passenger since the yacht went down in the early hours of Monday 19 August.
Four bodies were recovered from the vessel on Wednesday, with the fifth brought to shore on Thursday morning. They have now been identified as British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judith Bloomer, lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo.
Read the full article here:
Mike Lynch was ‘ready to start again’ after decade-long legal battle
13:10
Holly Evans
The former cabinet minister Lord Deben told Times Radio on Wednesday that his friend Mike Lynch was at the “beginning of a new life” after being acquitted in a major fraud trial.
“He came back to be ready to start again. He made such a contribution to Britain. His companies have put British IT in the forefront, and he was going to do it again, and we pray that he can do it again,” the former Conservative MP said.
Paying tribute to his family, he added: “The daughters did so much for him, and yet, at the same time, achieved so much in their own work. The younger one [Hannah] getting into Oxford; the older one completing studies with very considerable aplomb.
“All that going on while still being there for him and supporting him and understanding that they could give to him what no one else could. So for that family to be torn apart in this way is really terribly sad.”
Everything we know so far about the search for Mike Lynch and the Bayesian superyacht sinking in Sicily
12:50
Holly Evans
The identities of five bodies found inside the wreck of the luxury superyacht Bayesian have now been confirmed, and include British technology tycoon Mike Lynch.
Also confirmed dead is Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judith Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, all of whom were aboard when the boat sank in a severe storm off the coast of Sicily.
Mr Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah remains missing, with search efforts resuming on Thursday morning and Salvatore Concina, the head of Sicily’s civil protection agency, saying it remained their “priority” to find her.
Read the full article here:
What is a waterspout?
12:30
Holly Evans
Social media users posted video of waterspouts off the coast of Italy on the same day the Bayesian sank, and in the days before the tragic incident. Video posted online on Monday also showed the superyacht being engulfed in storm conditions.
“The sea surface temperature around Sicily was around 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), which is almost 3 degrees more than normal. This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms,” climatologist Luca Mercalli, president of the Italian meteorological society, said.
“So we can’t say that this is all due to climate change, but we can say that it has an amplifying effect,” he added.
Mercalli said that a waterspout or a downburst, a more frequent phenomenon that doesn’t involve the rotation of the air, could have been the cause of the sunken yacht.
A waterspout is a column of air and water mist, and there are two types - tornadic and fair weather. Tornadic waterspounds have the ability to form over water, or start on land and then move over water. They have the same qualities as a land tornado -- also taking a ropelike structure -- and can be just as destructive.
Waterspouts are often associated with severe thunderstorms and accompanied by high winds and seas. All thunderstorms have the potential to produce tornadoes.
Rescuers would need a ‘crystal ball’ to predict recovery of sixth person
12:25
Holly Evans
Emergency workers are unable to predict if and when the sixth person, believed to be Mike Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, would be discovered.
Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service, told Sky News: “We would need a crystal ball to know when we’ll be able to find the next body.
“It’s very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one metre can take up to 24 hours.”
Obtaining witness testimony is key, says maritime investigator
12:10
Holly Evans
A maritime investigator has said that obtaining witness testimony as quickly as possible will be key for the authorities.
James Wilkes said investigators will want to speak to those who survived or saw the sinking “while the memories are fresh in their mind”.
“A lot of the other information can be collected a bit more slowly,” he told Sky News.
“Fortunately, 15 people survived. I’d like to explore the circumstances in which they were able to survive the storm and the sinking, to look at the anomalies and and work out the difference between those and the people that sadly didn’t survive and combine it all with technical data and simulation,” he said.
Italian fire service share updated on search operation
11:53
Holly Evans
The Italian fire service has shared an update on social media after the fifth body was recovered from the Bayesian and brought ashore.
Posting on X, Vigili del Fuoco shared a picture of their equipment alongside the caption: “The dives in the sea began in the early hours of the morning and continue for the search and recovery of the last missing person.”
“The body of the fifth victim was recovered and brought ashore by the divers,” they added.
❌ #Porticello #Palermo, recuperato e portato a terra dai #sommozzatori dei #vigilidelfuoco il corpo della 5ª vittima: le immersioni in mare erano iniziate dalle prime ore del mattino e proseguono per la ricerca e il recupero dell’ultimo disperso [#22agosto 9:00] pic.twitter.com/rm1d803NG0
— Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) August 22, 2024
Raising sunken yacht a future possibility says Italian Coastguard
11:43
Holly Evans
A decision on whether to raise the sunken yacht from the seabed is “not on the agenda” but “will be”, a spokesman from the Italian Coastguard has said.
Vincenzo Zagarola told the PA news agency: “This is not a topic on the agenda.
“It will be, but not now.”
He also said that the Italian Coastguard’s working theory is still that the missing woman is inside the boat.
Lynch made a ‘powerful contribution to science'
11:31
Holly Evans
The chairman of the Francis Crick Institute has described Mike Lynch as a “human being of great ability”, following confirmation on Thursday of the technology mogul’s death.
Mr Lynch was a member of the Create The Change fundraising board, set up by Cancer Research UK and which helped fund the building of the institute.
Lord John Browne said: “Mike Lynch should be remembered as the person who catalysed a breed of deep tech entrepreneurs in the UK.
“His ideas and his personal vision were a powerful contribution to science and technology in both Britain and globally.
“I send my condolences to those close to him. We have lost a human being of great ability.”
Divers in search operation facing ‘huge amounts of psychological stress’
11:24
Holly Evans
Divers who have been retrieving the bodies of Mike Lynch and his companions will be under huge mental pressure, a former Royal Navy submarine captain has said.
“It’s been exceptionally stressful for them both mentally and physically,” Ryan Ramsey told Sky News.
“If you take into account the pressures that they’re operating under, those are considerable.
“It’s dark. It’s a platform that they’ve never been inside before, and they’re having to recover bodies. That’s huge amounts of psychological stress for those for those divers.”
Search efforts have been hampered by debris and furniture blocking the narrow spaces in the yacht, as well as divers only having a 10-minute window to search the vessel each time.
Ambulance carrying fifth body leaves Porticello harbour
11:08
Holly Evans
Tech group pay tribute to ‘pioneering’ Mike Lynch
11:05
Holly Evans
Technology industry group TechUK has paid tribute to Mike Lynch following his death.
A spokesperson said: “Mike Lynch was a hugely significant and pioneering figure in the UK technology sector.
“Our hearts go out to all of the families and friends who have been impacted by these tragic events.”
The 22 people on board the Bayesian and how they were celebrating after years of court battles
11:00
Holly Evans
British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among the people initially unaccounted for after his superyacht Bayesian sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of Monday.
On Thursday morning, Italian authorities confirmed the identities of five bodies found inside the luxury vessel, after a three-day operation that has seen divers carefully navigating their way into the cabin bedrooms.
After a decade-long legal battle which had seen him extradited to the US to face an $11bn fraud case, Mr Lynch had celebrated by inviting his close friends, colleagues and those who helped him on his legal team aboard his boat as a gesture of gratitude.
Read the full article here:
Royal Academy of Engineering sends ‘profound condolences’ to Lynch family
10:51
Holly Evans
The Royal Academy of Engineering has paid tribute to its “mentor, donor and former council member” Mike Lynch following his death in the luxury yacht disaster off Sicily.
In a statement, the academy said: “The trustee board, fellows and staff of the Royal Academy of Engineering are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mike Lynch, and send our profound condolences to his family.
“Mike became a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engine
