British Tech Magnate Mike Lynch Missing After Superyacht Sinks in Sicily Storm
A freak storm off the coast of Sicily has led to the tragic sinking of a luxury superyacht, the Bayesian, leaving British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five others missing. The incident, which occurred early on Monday, has shocked both the UK and international communities. Italian authorities are continuing their search and rescue operations amid worsening weather conditions, but hopes of finding the missing individuals alive are fading.
The Bayesian, a British-flagged yacht, was moored off Porticello, near Palermo, when it was hit by a violent waterspout—a type of tornado that forms over water. The storm struck at around 4 a.m., causing the yacht to sink rapidly. Despite the best efforts of rescuers, including helicopters and boats from the Italian coast guard, fire rescue, and civil protection services, only one body has been recovered so far. The remaining six people, including Lynch, are feared to be trapped inside the hull of the yacht, which now rests 50 meters below the surface.
Lynch, a prominent figure in the UK technology sector, was recently acquitted of fraud and conspiracy charges in the United States related to the $11 billion sale of his company, Autonomy Corp., to Hewlett Packard in 2011. His unexpected disappearance comes just months after his legal victory, which had cleared his name after a long and arduous battle.
The Bayesian was a stunning 56-meter vessel, notable for its towering 75-meter mast—one of the tallest made of aluminium in the world. The yacht had been available for charter at a rate of up to €195,000 per week, catering to a high-end clientele with its luxurious accommodations and sleek, minimalist design by French designer Remi Tessier. At the time of the sinking, the yacht was carrying 12 passengers and 10 crew members from various countries, including the UK, the United States, and several European nations.
Survivors of the disaster have recounted harrowing tales of their escape. Charlotte Golunski, one of the rescued passengers, described how she nearly lost her one-year-old daughter Sofia in the chaos but managed to keep her afloat until they were pulled to safety. The rescue effort was aided by a nearby ship, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, which had also weathered the storm but escaped serious damage. The ship’s captain, Karsten Borner, noticed the Bayesian’s disappearance only after seeing a distress flare and subsequently helped rescue 15 survivors.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has dispatched a team to Italy to conduct a preliminary assessment of the incident. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has also confirmed that it is providing consular support to the British nationals involved and their families.
As the search continues, the yachting and business communities remain on edge, hoping for a miracle but preparing for the worst. Mike Lynch, once dubbed the “Bill Gates of Britain,” had recently expressed his eagerness to return to the UK and resume his work following his acquittal.
In the aftermath of this disaster, questions are being raised about the safety of luxury yachts in unpredictable weather conditions, especially in areas prone to sudden storms like the Mediterranean.
For more information on the ongoing investigation, you can visit the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch official website.
