Italian authorities have confirmed the recovery of one body while six individuals remain unaccounted for after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning.
According to CNN, the tragedy unfolded when a powerful tornado struck the vessel, which was anchored approximately half a mile from the port of Porticello on the Mediterranean island.
The yacht, a 56-meter vessel named “Bayesian,” was carrying a diverse group of passengers and crew when the disaster struck.
Flying under a British flag, the yacht had mostly British nationals on board, along with two Anglo-French citizens, a New Zealander, an Irish national, and a Sri Lankan, according to the spokesperson for Italy’s Coast Guard.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m. local time, when the tornado hit with devastating force.
In the aftermath, emergency services launched a large-scale rescue operation, managing to save fifteen people from the waters.
Among the rescued was the yacht’s captain, who, along with others, was found clinging to debris and struggling in the choppy seas.
One of the survivors, a child, was in critical condition and had to be airlifted to a children’s hospital in Palermo for urgent medical care.
The extent of the injuries among other survivors is still being assessed, with several receiving treatment for hypothermia and trauma.
The search and rescue efforts intensified as the day progressed, with the Italian fire brigade playing a crucial role in the operation.
Their divers managed to locate the yacht’s hull, which had sunk to a depth of 49 meters (160 feet) below sea level. Despite the challenging conditions, they continued to comb the wreckage for any signs of the missing individuals.
To support the ongoing efforts, helicopters were deployed to provide aerial surveillance and assist in the search for the missing.
The Coast Guard also coordinated with local fishing vessels and civilian boats in the vicinity, hoping that the widespread network of responders might yield more survivors.
This tragic incident highlights the unpredictable and often dangerous weather conditions that can occur in the Mediterranean, even during the summer months.
The yacht, which was likely on a leisure cruise, was caught off guard by the sudden and violent storm, underscoring the need for constant vigilance in such environments.
As rescue teams work tirelessly to account for the remaining missing individuals, the incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a serene voyage.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether any safety protocols were breached and to understand how the yacht was caught in such a perilous situation.
