British-Flagged Yacht Sinks Off Sicily Coast: One Dead, Six Missing
Tragedy struck off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning as a British-flagged yacht sinks, resulting in the death of one man and the disappearance of six others. The 56-metre (183-foot) vessel, reportedly named the Bayesian, was carrying 22 people, including 10 crew members and 12 passengers. Among those onboard were British, American, and Canadian nationals, with Britons among the missing, according to Italian media reports.
The yacht encountered treacherous weather conditions near Palermo, leading to the vessel’s tragic sinking. According to new reports the catastrophe has been attributed to a sudden and violent weather event involving a tornado and waterspouts over the Mediterranean. These intense weather phenomena, known for their destructive power, struck without warning, creating a perilous situation for those aboard. The tornado, coupled with rapidly forming waterspouts, generated severe winds and turbulent seas, ultimately overwhelming the vessel.
Italian emergency services were able to rescue 15 people, including a one-year-old child, from the wreck. The body of a man, whose nationality has yet to be confirmed, was found outside the wreckage, while the search for the six missing individuals continues. A wreck has been located at a depth of 50 metres, and divers are actively searching the area.
Eight of the rescued individuals are currently receiving medical treatment in a local hospital. The Italian Coastguard, which is coordinating the rescue efforts, reported that a nearby boat offered assistance before the emergency services arrived. The British Foreign Office has confirmed that it is aware of the incident and is in contact with Italian authorities.
The yacht’s last known position was near Porticello, just after 04:00 local time, moments before the rescue operation reportedly began. The vessel is managed by Camper and Nicholson’s International, a well-known name in the yachting industry. However, the company has declined to confirm specific details about the incident, stating only that they are “dealing with a situation onboard one of [their] managed vessels.”
As the rescue efforts continue, the yachting community, as well as the families of those affected, are anxiously awaiting further developments.
Visit the Royal Yachting Association for information on maritime safety and protocols.
