Tragedy Strikes: Divers searching the wreckage of a superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily have recovered the bodies of five passengers, with one more person still missing. The sinking of the yacht, owned by British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, has raised numerous questions, particularly given the survival of a nearby sailboat during the same storm.
The Incident-Yacht
The yacht, named The Bayesian, a 56-metre (184-foot) British-flagged vessel, went down during a storm early Monday while it was moored about a kilometer offshore. The rapid sinking of the yacht contrasts with the survival of a nearby sailboat, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, which managed to rescue 15 survivors from the scene.
Victims Identified
Among the deceased are Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. Their bodies were found in one of the vessel’s cabins between two mattresses, according to reports. Three other bodies have also been recovered, including that of the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, who was the first to be found on Monday. The remaining missing individuals include Judy and Jonathan Bloomer, and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo.
The Investigation
The sinking of The Bayesian has prompted a criminal investigation by the Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators are seeking to understand why the yacht sank so quickly, especially when the sailboat in the same vicinity remained largely unscathed. One theory suggests that a waterspout, a tornado over water, may have struck the yacht, causing it to capsize.
Theories and Expert Opinions
Experts are particularly interested in the yacht’s keel, which may have been retractable. Jean-Baptiste Souppez, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, speculated that if the keel was retracted, it could have reduced the yacht’s stability, making it more susceptible to capsizing. Additionally, yachts like The Bayesian are typically designed with watertight sub-compartments to prevent rapid sinking, raising further questions about the speed at which the vessel went down.
Ongoing Search and Recovery
The yacht now lies sideways on the seabed, 50 metres (164 feet) underwater. The depth and position of the wreck have complicated recovery efforts, as divers can only spend 8-10 minutes inside the vessel before needing to resurface. The search for the final missing passenger continues, as investigators and experts work to uncover the cause of this tragic event.
