The six people still missing after the British luxury yacht Bayesian sank off the coast of Sicily are feared dead, rescuers have announced.
So far, only one body has been recovered, believed to belong to Canadian-Antiguan chef Recaldo Thomas, who was working on the 56-meter boat at the time of the incident.
Among the unaccounted passengers is British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, along with his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Also among the missing are Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International Bank, and his wife Judy, alongside lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda.
The tragedy unfolded near Palermo, as storms and heavy rains battered Italy following weeks of scorching heat, which had warmed sea temperatures to dangerous levels.
The Italian Coastguard indicated on Tuesday afternoon their concerns over the fate of the six passengers as it was revealed the yacht may have capsized due to open hatches allowing water to flood the vessel.
The British-flagged Bayesian was hit by severe storms, creating waterspouts over the area early Monday morning, shortly after being anchored near the small fishing village of Porticello.
Reports suggest the yacht was carrying 22 individuals, including 12 guests and 10 crew members, when it capsized around 5 AM local time.
Witnesses described witnessing severe weather and said they saw what appeared to be a tornado at sea just before the ship sank.
James Catfield, the yacht's captain, claimed they did not anticipate the sudden change in weather conditions and admitted he felt quite helpless during the ordeal.
Fifteen people were successfully rescued from the sinking luxury yacht, which included impressive figures like Lynch, renowned for founding software giant Autonomy.
Given the extreme conditions present, experts believe it’s increasingly perilous for vessels to navigate the Mediterranean during summer storms.
Reports indicate the storm caused the yacht's mast to snap, leading to the rapid capsizing of the vessel, which was described as turning on its side just minutes after the storm hit.
Sam Jefferson, editor of Sailing Today, cited the significant height of the yacht's mast, saying it likely contributed to the disaster.
Rescue operations have continued, but the length of time since the sinking complicates chances of finding the missing alive.
After multiple rescue efforts, divers have stated they have not yet been able to assess the wreckage thoroughly because of dangerous conditions.
Mike Lynch, who built his fortune by selling Autonomy to Hewlett Packard, faced legal battles before the tragic incident, having been acquitted of fraud charges just weeks prior to the yacht tragedy.
The incident has led to many tributes for Lynch, who is remembered not only for his contributions to technology but also for his character and resilience.
The fears surrounding the capsized yacht come as investigators from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch are set to conduct preliminary assessments on the cause of the sinking.
Meanwhile, as divers probe the depths, hopes linger, albeit dimming, for those whose fates remain uncertain.
Experts caution against the unpredictability of severe thunderstorms developing over the Mediterranean and the challenges this poses for both leisure and professional mariners.
Reports from weather analysts have noted alarming increases in sea temperatures contributing to these violent weather patterns.
With the sunken yacht now resting on the seabed at around 49 meters deep, efforts are underway to determine the next steps for recovery and search operations.
The emotional toll on families affected is significant as they await news of their loved ones, and the investigation seeks to clarify the exact events leading to the kayaking tragedy.
