British technology tycoon Mike Lynch is missing after a British-flagged luxury superyacht sank in bad weather off the coast of Sicily, sources have said.
The Independent understands that Mr Lynch is among six people missing after the sailboat, named Bayesian, sank in the early hours of Monday near the Sicilian capital Palermo, with 22 foreign tourists on board.
Four Britons and a child are reportedly among the missing, while a man has died, and a further 15 people, including another child, have been rescued after the vessel capsized in a whirlwind and rough seas at around 5am off the port of Porticello.
The 56-metre (184-foot) yacht had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, representing British, American and Canadian nationalities, the Italian coast guard said.
A body was seen being pulled from the water by emergency services on Monday morning, while Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service, said eight people are in hospital.
Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation into the incident.
Have you been affected by this story? Email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk
Key Points
- Bayesian owner Mike Lynch is among missing while British tech mogul's wife among rescued
- Child and owner of British-flagged superyacht still missing, says local captain
- Mother describes horror of ‘losing baby at sea'
- Body is believed to be Bayesian’s chef, according to local media
- Divers ‘saw bodies through portholes’ when searching ‘Bayesian’ wreck, according to local media
Pictured: Emergency services at scene of search for missing boat in Sicily
15:42
Athena Stavrou
British mother rescues her baby from waters after superyacht capsizes off Italian coast
15:25
Athena Stavrou
A baby is among those being treated in hospital after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily, with her mother revealing how she rescued her.
Six tourists, including British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, are missing after the luxury boat Bayeasian capsized in bad weather at about 5am near Palermo. One of the survivors, a 35-year-old British mother named Charlotte, told Italian media outlet la Reppublica how she held her one-year-old daughter, called Sofia, above her head to save her from drowning.
“For two seconds I lost my baby in the sea, then I immediately hugged her again amid the fury of the waves,” she said. “I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning,’ she added.
“It was all dark. In the water I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others.”
Read the full story here:
Who is missing billionaire Mike Lynch
15:02
Rachel Hagan
British tech tycoon Mike Lynch is among the six people missing after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily, The Independent understands.
The 59-year-old is known for founding Invoke Capital and Autonomy Corporation and has been in the headlines after he was cleared of charges in a high-profile fraud case.
Sources have also confirmed that Mr Lynch is the owner of the vessel.
Once dubbed the “British Bill Gates”, Mr Lynch and his wife Angela Bacares were valued at £852m in 2023 by the Sunday Times Rich List.
His disappearance following the superyacht disaster comes just weeks after he was cleared of all charges by a US jury related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.
Eight of the 15 rescued taken to hospital
14:44
Alex Ross
Eight of the 15 people rescued and taken to shore at Porticello were taken to hospital.
One body was found near the wreck, but six others were unaccounted for, said Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service.Rescue crews located the vessel at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet) off Porticello and deep-water police divers were trying to access the hull, Mr Cari said.
The operations, which were visible from shore, involved helicopters and rescue boats from the coast guard, fire rescue and civil protection service.
Fisherman Francesco Cefalu’ said he had seen a flare from shore at around 4.30 a.m. and immediately set out to the site but by the time he got there, the Bayesian had already sunk, with only cushions, wood and other items from the superyacht floating in the water.
“But for the rest, we didn’t find anyone,” he said from the port hours later.
He said that he immediately alerted the coast guard and stayed on site for three hours, but didn’t find any survivors. “I think they are inside, all the missing people.”
'Prayers at this moment are for the missing'
14:27
Rachel Hagan
The mayor of Palermo has said he is praying for the missing as the rescue operation continues.
Roberto Lagalla told the Italian newspaper Giornale di Sicilia: "My prayers at this moment are with those missing in the shipwreck of the sailing boat in Porticello. My closeness goes to the passengers and crew members rescued.
"I also express my heartfelt thanks to the coastguard, the firefighters and the entire rescue machine that was immediately activated and is still carrying out operations."
Bayesian owner Mike Lynch is among missing while British tech mogul's wife among rescued
14:25
Tara Cobham
British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch is among six people missing after his British-flagged luxury superyacht sank in bad weather off the coast of Sicily, The Independent understands, while his wife, Angela Bacares, is among the 15 people who were rescued.
Sources have also confirmed that he is the owner of the vessel.
A representative for Dr Lynch declined to comment.
Body is believed to be Bayesian’s chef, according to local media
14:13
Tara Cobham
The body found after a luxury yacht sank in bad weather off the coast of Sicily is believed to be that of the vessel’s chef, according to local media.
The body was found near the wreck at a depth of 50m (164ft), fire and rescue services said.
British tech entrepeneue Mike Lynch is missing after yacht sinks, says source
13:42
Tara Cobham
British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is missing after the superyacht Bayesian sunk off the coast of Sicily, a person familiar with the rescue effort has told Reuters.
Mapped: Bayesian yacht sunk in front of Porticello in Palermo
13:08
Tara Cobham
Child and owner of British-flagged superyacht still missing, says local captain
12:59
Tara Cobham
A child and the owner of the Bayesian superyacht are among those still missing, the captain of a nearby boat has said.
In an update to an earlier post, Karsten Borner told Reuters that the owner of the sunken ship and another child were among those missing.
The details of the owner are unknown but the yacht’s registered owner is listed as Revtom Ltd.
There is little publicly available online information about the company, which appears to be based on the Isle of Man.
Captain wouldn’t moor if seen severe weather warnings, claims Maritime Search and Rescue Council chair
12:57
Rachel Hagan
The Bayesian’s captain would not have moored if they had seen severe weather warnings, the chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council has claimed to The Independent.
Matthew Schanck said: “If the captain onboard saw severe weather warnings, I am confident the captain wouldn’t have moored. Also with it being a luxury yacht passenger, comfort is a huge part. The captain wouldn’t have anchored if the conditions were going to be unsafe or uncomfortable for the guests.
“Everything is unclear at the moment. A tornado is a freak incident.”
He said CCTV from the surrounding areas showing the masts suggests a large squall, which is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed that lasts a few minutes, could have impacted the vessel.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident.
A spokesperson for the company that manages the boat, Camper and Nicholsons International, said their priority is “assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew”.
Captain of rescue ship describes moment he picked up survivors
12:53
Rachel Hagan
The captain of a nearby boat has described the moment he picked up some of the survivors from the Bayesian.
Karsten Borner told Reuters that when the storm hit he turned his engine on to keep control of the vessel and avoid a collision with the superyacht.
“We managed to keep the ship in position and after the storm was over, we noticed that the ship behind us was gone,” Mr Borner said.
He said that his crew then found some of the survivors on a life raft, including three who were seriously injured and took them on board before the coast guard picked them up.
He confirmed that “a little baby and the wife of the owner” were among the survivors. Describing the conditions, Mr Borner said the Bayesian “went flat on the water and then down.”
He continued: “There was a light and we saw that the ship was aside and then we saw a triangle. So I think she went back down.”
Divers and helicopter search wreck site
12:43
Rachel Hagan
A video of the search and rescue operation has been released by the Sicilian emergency services.
#Palermo, naufragio imbarcazione a Porticello: recuperato dai #sommozzatori dei #vigilidelfuoco il corpo senza vita di un uomo, all’esterno del relitto. Proseguono le operazioni di ricerca con il coordinamento in mare della @guardiacostiera [#19agosto 11:30] pic.twitter.com/Y2m9o5ohCe
— Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) August 19, 2024
Mother describes horror of ‘losing baby at sea'
12:27
Rachel Hagan
The 35-year-old mother of the baby girl who was saved from the sinking yacht has told Italian media how she managed to board a lifeboat with 10 other people as the boat capsized.
Speaking to the Giornale Di Sicilia newspaper, she said: “For two seconds I lost my baby in the sea, then I immediately hugged her again amid the fury of the waves.
“I held her tightly, close to me, while the sea was stormy. Many were screaming. Luckily the lifeboat inflated and 11 of us managed to get on board.”
Baby and its mother reportedly among rescued taken to hospital
12:22
Tara Cobham
A baby, along with its mother, was reportedly among those rescued and taken to hospital after the superyacht ‘Bayesian’ capsized, according to Italian news outlet Corriere.
Fifteen people were rescued from the 55m (180ft) vessel, but a further six are still missing, while one man has died.
Facts about the ‘Bayesian’ including length and owner
12:11
Tara Cobham
Bayesian, the yacht which capsized in Italy believed to be carrying British passengers, is 56 metres long, according to ship tracking website VesselFinder.
She was built in 2008 by Italian company Perini Navi.
Her registered owner is listed as Revtom Ltd.
There is little publicly available online information about the company, which appears to be based on the Isle of Man.
Bayesian completed a number of sailings in recent days, calling at various ports in Sicily.
In picutres: The yacht ‘Bayesian’ that capsized and sunk off coast of Sicily in bad weather
11:56
Tara Cobham
Divers ‘saw bodies through portholes’ when searching ‘Bayesian’ wreck, according to local media
11:47
Tara Cobham
Divers “saw bodies through the portholes” when they were searching the ‘Bayesian’ wreck, according to local media.
Corriere Della Sera reported that the head of the Civil Protection of Sicily, Salvo Cocina, said the firefighter divers saw the corpses as the search and rescue mission continues.
Managers of ‘Bayesian’ yacht confirms vessel sank after encountering ‘severe’ weather
11:37
Tara Cobham
The managers of the ‘Bayesian’ yacht has confirmed that the vessel sank after encountering “severe” weather.
Camper & Nicholsons said in a statement issued on Monday: “Camper & Nicholsons, managers of the sailing yacht Bayesian (IMO: 9503392), confirms that the vessel encountered severe weather and subsequently sank near Palermo, Italy, at around 04:30 local time on Monday, 19 August 2024.
“There were a total of 12 guests and 10 crew onboard. The Italian Coast Guard is leading search and rescue operations, and has safely recovered 15 individuals. Efforts to locate the seven missing persons continue.
“Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”
Alicia Kearns MP says she is ‘desperately sorry’ to hear of ‘heartbreaking’ capsizing of Bayesian
11:31
Tara Cobham
Alicia Kearns MP has said she is “desperately sorry” to hear of the “heartbreaking” capsizing of the Bayesian.
In a post on X on Monday morning, the shadow foreign minister for Europe said: “Desperately sorry to hear of the capsizing of the Bayesian – a heartbreaking incident.
“My thoughts are with all the families of those lost at sea, and those recovering following the rescue operation, I’m sure the foreign office will be providing consular support to British Nationals and their families.”
Desperately sorry to hear of the capsizing of the Bayesian - a heartbreaking incident.
— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) August 19, 2024
My thoughts are with all the families of those lost at sea, and those recovering following the rescue operation, I’m sure the foreign office will be providing consular support to British…
Watch live: Search continues as one dead and six missing after yacht sinks in Italy
11:28
Tara Cobham
Watch live as a search and rescue operation is conducted in Italy after a British-flagged luxury superyacht carrying foreign tourists sank in a whirlwind and rough seas off the coast of Sicily on Monday, 19 August.
Prosecutors open investigation into what went wrong over Bayesian sinking
11:26
Tara Cobham
Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation to look into what had gone wrong after the yacht named as the Bayesian sank.
The coast guard said the boat had been found at a depth of 49 metres and that divers were inspecting the wreck.
Man dies and six still missing, Italian coast guard confirms
11:23
Tara Cobham
One man has died after a luxury yacht was struck by an unexpectedly violent storm and sank off the Sicilian capital Palermo, the Italian coast guard has confirmed.
Six more people are still missing, it said on Monday.
Dutch ship was first first rescue vessel to reach ‘Bayesian’ and save 15, local media report
11:19
Tara Cobham
The first rescue vessel to reach the passengers and crew on board the ‘Bayesian’ was a Dutch ship, according to local media.
Corriere Della Sera reported the crew of the Sir Robert BP, a Dutch-flagged sailing boat, was close to the sunken superyacht and the 15 people who have so far been saved.
The search for the six missing others continues, while one person is feared dead.
Four British passengers, two Americans and a Canadian believed to be missing
11:07
Tara Cobham
Four British passengers, two Americans and a Canadian are said to be missing, Italian news agency Ansa reported.
It is not known what country the person who died is from.
Extreme storm warnings in Europe as tourist hotspots evacuated
11:03
Tara Cobham
It comes as a luxury sailboat carrying tourists - including some from the UK - has capsized and sunk off the coast of Sicily in bad weather that included water spouts.One body has been found, six people were missing and 15 people were rescued, authorities said.
My colleague Rich Booth reports:
UK foreign office says it is in contact with local authorities after incident in Sicily
11:02
Tara Cobham
The UK foreign office has said it is in contact with local authorities following an incident in Sicily.
It said in a statement: “We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Sicily, and stand ready to provide consular support to British nationals affected.”
Emergency services seen carrying body bag after sailboat sank near Palermo
11:00
Tara Cobham
Emergency services have been seen carrying a body bag after a sailboat sank near the Sicilian city of Palermo.
Pictures show the body bag being carried on Monday morning after the superyacht sank in the early hours.
British, American and Canadian citizens among 22 on board the ‘Bayesian’
10:57
Tara Cobham
British, American and Canadian citizens are among the 22 people who were on board the ‘Bayesian’ when it sank off Porticello, according to local authorities.
The Italian Coast Guard said in a statement: “This morning at about 5am, following a violent gale, a 56-metre yacht named Bayesian and flying the UK flag sank off Porticello.
“The first shipwrecked were rescued by a boat in the immediate vicinity and brought ashore by four Coast Guard vessels, which promptly responded to the scene from Porticello, Termini Imerese and Palermo.
“Initial information received from the yacht crew indicated that 22 people (10 crew members and 12 passengers) were onboard the yacht.
“There are currently 15 people rescued and seven missing (one crew member and six passengers), of British, American and Canadian nationality.
“Of the people recovered, eight were transported to local hospitals. The vessel is reported to have sunk on a seabed of about 50 metres.
“The search continues unabated with naval, air and underwater resources, including the Messina Coast Guard Diving Unit.”
Local mayor says emergency services personnel continue to search at scene
10:55
Tara Cobham
The local mayor has said emergency services personnel continue to search at the scene after a foreign boat sunk due to bad weather, with seven people still missing.
Filippo Tripoli, the mayor of Bagheria in Sicily, said: “This morning, off the coast of Santa Flavia, a foreign boat sunk due to bad weather, 15 people recovered and seven missing.
“Already all the police forces and emergency services are operational and our Red Cross volunteers are present.”
Fisherman witnessed boat ‘suddenly sink and disappear’ after ‘tornado hit’
10:49
Tara Cobham
A local fisherman has said he saw the superyacht “Bayesian” suddenly sink and disappear after a tornado hit the area, according to local media.
Pietro Asciutto, a fisherman from Porticello, told the ANSA news agency: “I was at home when the tornado hit. I immediately closed all the windows. Then I saw the boat, it had only one mast, it was very large. I saw it sink suddenly.”
He continued: “I think the tornado came from Porticello. Shortly after I went down to the Bay of Santa Nicolicchia to get a better look at what was happening. The boat was still floating, then suddenly it disappeared. I saw it sink with my own eyes.”
In pictures: British-flagged yacht with 22 people on board sinks in early hours
10:23
Tara Cobham
Full story: One dead and six missing after British yacht sinks off Sicily in storm
10:20
Tara Cobham
One person is dead and six people are missing after a luxury British yacht sank in a “tornado” and rough seas off the coast of Sicily.
A 50-metre sailboat with 22 people on board sank in the early hours of Monday off the coast of the Sicilian capital Palermo, with four Britons among the seven missing, Italian media outlets reported.
The person who was found dead was discovered by a diver this morning but their nationality or gender has not been confirmed, Sky Italia reports.
My colleague Rachel Hagan reports:
Coastguard searches for missing after British-flagged yacht capsizes in tornado off Italy
10:18
Tara Cobham
One dead and 6 missing after luxury superyacht sinks in storm off Sicily, authorities say
10:18
Tara Cobham
A luxury superyacht sailboat carrying foreign tourists capsized and sank off Sicily in bad weather early Monday. One body was found, six people were missing and 15 people were rescued, authorities said.
The British-flagged, 56-meter (184-foot) "Bayesian" had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, representing British, American and Canadian nationalities, the Italian coast guard said.
Fifteen people were rescued initially and taken to shore at Porticello, where eight were in the hospital. One body was found near the wreck, but six others were unaccounted for, said Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service.
A helicopter and rescue boats from the coast guard, carabinieri, fire rescue and civil protection service were at the scene searching for the missing and had located the wreck at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet). The boat capsized around 5 a.m. off the port of Porticello.
Experienced deep-water divers were arriving at the scene to try to enter the hull, he said. Those who hadn't been rescued included one member of the crew and six passengers, the coast guard said.
Local media said a fierce storm, including water spouts, had battered the area overnight but skies were clear and seas calm by Monday morning.
The ANSA news agency said the yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, had been moored off the port at Porticello.
