Tributes pour in for 18-year-old Hannah Lynch following the recovery of what is believed to be her body in the wreckage of a luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily. Hannah was the final person unaccounted for after the yacht, Bayesian, capsized during a sudden storm near the Italian fishing village of Porticello, resulting in a total of seven fatalities.
Friends have described Hannah as a “warm and beautiful soul,” while her teachers highlighted her “exceptional intellectual ability.”
The body of her father, tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, was found earlier this week amidst the wreckage.
The Lynch family shared a touching photograph of the two on Friday. A family spokesperson stated, “The Lynch family is devastated and in shock, receiving support from loved ones.” They expressed gratitude towards the Italian coastguard and emergency services for their efforts in the rescue operation.
They further requested privacy during this unimaginable time of grief.
A close friend remembered Mike as “the most brilliant mind and caring person” he had ever known, emphasizing his inspiring passion for life and knowledge.
The Italian Coast Guard confirmed that the recovery efforts have concluded with Hannah’s identification, bringing the death toll to seven. Survivors include a one-year-old child and Hannah’s mother, Angela Bacares.
The tragedy also claimed the lives of noted figures such as Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy, lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, and the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas. Italian authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
In such cases, officials typically conduct a comprehensive investigation, considering various potential criminal charges. The Italian police have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been filed as of yet.
Rescue teams described the search operations, which began on Monday, as “complex,” with divers facing limitations in their underwater shifts. Following the announcement of the last body being found, a coastguard vessel returned to port after hours at the shipwreck site.
A helicopter was seen landing nearby as divers concluded their work. Despite discussions about raising the sunken yacht from the seabed in the future, current priorities do not include such actions as the ship remains “practically intact.”
In honor of Hannah Lynch, a flag outside her school in Hammersmith, west London, was flown at half-mast on Friday. Reports indicate she recently completed her A-levels and was set to study English at the University of Oxford.
A spokesperson for Latymer Upper School expressed deep shock over the news, stating, “Our thoughts are with their family and everyone involved.”
Classmate Gracie Lea reflected on Hannah’s character, calling her “easy to love: sincere, dedicated, fiercely intelligent, and genuinely kind,” adding, “I’ll always remember her smiling.”
