Reports confirm that Mike Lynch, a prominent UK tech entrepreneur, was one of the six individuals who went missing on Monday following the sinking of a superyacht off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily during an unexpected storm. The luxury yacht, measuring 56 meters (180 feet) in length, was anchored near Porticello, east of Palermo, when sudden violent winds and heavy rains struck the area at dawn.
Angela Bacares, Lynch’s wife, was rescued along with 15 others, but Lynch and his daughter, Hannah Lynch, are currently unaccounted for, as mentioned by Salvo Cocina, the head of Sicily’s Civil Protection Agency to AFP.
Bacares sustained minor injuries and was seen being taken to the hospital in Termini Imerese by AFP journalists.
At 59 years old, Lynch is known for his notable contributions to the technology sector as an entrepreneur and investor, often likened to the UK equivalent of Bill Gates.
During the recovery operation, divers who located the first body reported witnessing one of the missing six individuals trapped inside the sunken vessel.
Survivor Charlotte Golunski from the UK recounted the tragic incident, describing the yacht being engulfed by intense winds before it went under.
Golunski mentioned the harrowing moments, including nearly losing her one-year-old daughter Sophia in the turbulent waters.
According to her, they managed to cling to a life raft amidst the chaos while screams filled the air.
The yacht, which had 22 individuals on board including 10 crew members, faced severe weather conditions resulting from a waterspout, a phenomenon resembling a small tornado over water.
Eye-witnesses reported a sudden strong gust of wind during the storm, with the yacht disappearing shortly thereafter.
Rescue efforts were launched promptly after a distress signal was spotted, with fishermen and emergency services joining in the search operation.
As the search continued, a body bag was eventually brought ashore when the weather calmed down.
Camper & Nicholsons, the yacht’s management company, stated their cooperation in the ongoing search operations for the missing individuals.
An investigation has been initiated by Italian authorities following the incident, which tragically unfolded after Lynch’s recent acquittal on fraud charges in the United States.
The superyacht, named Bayesian, was crafted by the renowned Italian shipbuilding company Perini Navi in 2008, boasting impressive specifications such as an 11.51-meter mast and speeds up to 15.5 knots.
Witnesses recounted the boat’s sudden disappearance in the early hours of the morning, transforming an ordinary day at sea into a devastating tragedy.
AFP