In a tragic incident off the coast of Sicily, a luxury yacht sank during a violent storm early Monday morning, leaving one person dead and six missing, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
The Incident
The British-flagged yacht “Bayesian”, a 56-metre-long sailboat, was anchored near the port of Porticello when it was struck by an unexpectedly severe storm. Eyewitnesses reported that the vessel quickly vanished beneath the waves shortly before dawn.
Casualties and Survivors
Of the 22 people aboard:
- One man, reportedly the yacht’s onboard chef, has been confirmed dead
- Six people, including Lynch and his daughter, are missing
- Fifteen people escaped, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who owned the boat, and a one-year-old girl
The Italian coast guard stated that the missing individuals have British, American, and Canadian nationalities.
Rescue Efforts
The Italian coast guard is leading the rescue operation. Divers are currently inspecting the wreck of the Bayesian, which lies at a depth of 49 metres. Prosecutors in nearby Termini Imerese have opened an investigation into the incident.
The Yacht
The Bayesian, built by Italian shipbuilder Perini in 2008 and refitted in 2020, is known for its 75-metre mast, the tallest aluminium mast in the world. The yacht, capable of accommodating 12 guests and a crew of 10, had left the Sicilian port of Milazzo on Aug. 14.
Mike Lynch
Mike Lynch, 59, is a prominent figure in the British tech industry, often referred to as “Britain’s Bill Gates”. He founded Autonomy, which he sold to HP for $11 billion in 2011. Lynch had recently been acquitted in a high-profile fraud case related to the HP deal.
Weather Conditions
Meteorologists note that recent extreme heat had raised Mediterranean sea temperatures to record levels, potentially contributing to the severity of the storm. The sea surface temperature around Sicily was approximately 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), about 3 degrees higher than normal.
As the search continues, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of sea travel, even for well-equipped luxury vessels. The tech world and the Lynch family await news, hoping for the safe return of those still missing.
