British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter are among six individuals reported missing after a luxury yacht capsized off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning.
The 56m yacht, carrying 22 people, included nationals from the UK, US, and Canada. Fortunately, 15 passengers, including a one-year-old girl, were rescued, while search operations continue into the night.
Local reports indicate the yacht, called Bayesian, sank around 05:00 local time when a violent storm unleashed waterspouts—rotating air columns—over the sea.
Lynch, often referred to as “the British Bill Gates,” co-founded the successful software firm Autonomy, acquired by Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Bayesian’s anchor was deployed when the storm hit, leading to the yacht capsizing near the village of Porticello, close to Palermo.
Divers have located wreckage at a depth of 50 meters and are actively searching for those still unaccounted for.
The director of Sicily’s civil protection agency confirmed the identities of some of the missing, including Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and the yacht’s chef.
Search operations, involving specialized diving and rescue teams, are set to continue overnight. One body has been recovered outside the wreckage, but the nationality has yet to be determined.
Corporate records link the ownership of the Bayesian to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who has reportedly been rescued.
Fifteen individuals reached safety after the storm. A 35-year-old mother recounted a harrowing experience of temporarily losing her one-year-old daughter to the waves before regaining hold of her.
She described the chaos as people screamed while she held her daughter tightly amidst the stormy seas. Both mother and child survived, although the mother received treatment for injuries.
Medical staff at the hospital reported that the survivors were “very tired” and continuously inquiring about the missing individuals.
The yacht trip was organized by Lynch for his colleagues.
A nearby Dutch-flagged vessel aided in the rescue, tending to survivors until emergency crews arrived. The captain noted they saw a red flare and discovered a life raft carrying 15 survivors, including several with serious injuries.
A local fisherman noted seeing people rescued by an inflatable boat dispatched from another yacht, while captain of a nearby fishing trawler reported debris floating in the water.
Helicopters and coastguard vessels were seen operating in the area, with divers entering the water as part of the search effort. Eight of the rescued individuals are currently receiving hospital treatment.
The Mediterranean region has been affected by severe storms recently, with intense weather conditions persisting through the weekend.
Forecasters explained that waterspouts are tornadoes occurring over water, forming under specific storm conditions.
The UK Foreign Office is providing support to British nationals affected by this tragedy, while the Marine Accident Investigation Branch is sending inspectors to evaluate the sinking of the UK-registered boat.
The Bayesian’s registered ownership is associated with Revtom Ltd, which can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites. The yacht’s name derives from Bayesian theory, foundational to Lynch’s academic and professional success.
The registered owner is reported as Ms. Bacares, who possesses sole legal rights over the company listed in the Isle of Man. One spokesperson mentioned their priority is assisting with the ongoing search and supporting rescued passengers and crew.
