Following reports from Italy, a single individual has lost their life and six individuals are currently unaccounted for after a luxurious yacht carrying predominantly British passengers was engulfed in a tornado and descended beneath the waves off the Sicilian coastline.
Although 15 individuals, including a one-year-old British infant, were rescued from the 56-meter (183ft) sailboat before it sank, unfortunate occurrences unfolded.
The British-flagged superyacht, known as Bayesian, was moored near Porticello in Palermo, Sicily, when it overturned around 5 am local time, as indicated by data from the Marine Traffic tracking platform.
At a depth of approximately 50 meters (163ft), divers encountered a deceased individual and observed bodies inside the vessel’s portholes during the recovery effort, said Salvo Cocina, the head of Sicily’s Civil Protection, in remarks to Italian media.
It was noted by local media that waterspouts, which are essentially tornadoes forming over bodies of water, were visible during the time when strong winds lashed the region overnight.
The Italian coast guard reported that the British-owned superyacht, reputedly one of the grandest in existence, had a complement of 10 crew members alongside 12 passengers from Great Britain, the United States, and Canada.
Media in Italy have disclosed that a majority of those onboard were British nationals, with other individuals hailing from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Ireland. Reports have also mentioned British-French dual citizens among the 22 individuals onboard the superyacht.
As of now, the nationality of the recovered deceased individual remains undisclosed.
The mother, aged 35, of the rescued infant recounted her experience to the Italian press, describing how she and ten others managed to embark on a lifeboat as the yacht overturned.
Recounting the harrowing experience to Giornale Di Sicilia, she shared, “There was a moment when I lost my child in the sea momentarily, but I swiftly embraced her amidst the tumultuous waves.”
She further added, “While the sea raged, clutching her closely, I held onto her. Amidst the chaos with many voices screaming, we were fortunate that the lifeboat inflated, allowing 11 of us to find safety aboard.”
According to some witnesses who spoke with Italian news outlet Giornale di Sicilia, the vessel remained anchored near Porticello port when the tornado struck.
An eyewitness recounted, “The yacht was brilliantly illuminated. Then suddenly, around 4:30 am, it vanished.
“It was a marvelous vessel where a celebration had been underway. A usual day of joyful holidaying at sea took an unfortunate turn into a tragedy. The port was within close proximity.”
Efforts involving a helicopter and rescue boats from the coast guard and fire service are ongoing at the site under the supervision of Mr. Cari, who is conducting searches for the missing individuals.
Bringing information to light earlier, Filippo Tripoli, the Mayor of Bagheria in Sicily, commented, “At daybreak off Santa Flavia’s coast, a foreign vessel foundered due to adverse weather conditions, leading to the retrieval of 15 individuals while seven are missing.
He added, “All law enforcement agencies and emergency responders are presently engaged, and the Red Cross volunteers are providing support.”
A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) stated, “We are in communication with the local authorities following the incident in Sicily and are prepared to offer consular assistance to those British nationals impacted.”