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In a tragic turn of events off the Sicilian coast, rescue efforts have recommenced in search for six individuals missing following the sinking of a luxury yacht, the Bayesian. Among those unaccounted for is notable British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter. The incident, which occurred Monday, has already claimed the life of one, further heightening the stakes of this unfolding maritime drama.
The Bayesian, a 56-meter (approximately 184-foot) yacht registered under the British flag, found itself caught in a fierce storm while anchored near Porticello, leading to its unfortunate demise. It was reportedly carrying a total of 22 people at the time of the incident. Among those missing are prominent figures such as Jonathan Bloomer, chair of Morgan Stanley International, and Chris Morvillo, a lawyer with Clifford Chance who has represented Lynch in notable legal battles.
Salvatore Cocina, the head of civil protection in Sicily, voiced concerns regarding the potential for bodies to be trapped within the wreckage. "The fear is that the bodies got trapped inside the vessel," he stated, as the search and recovery operations continued. As of now, the search has proven challenging; divers have managed to reach the sunken yacht but face significant obstacles that impede access.
With 15 individuals having managed to escape before the vessel sank, including Lynch's wife Angela Bacares and a one-year-old girl, the rescue teams are working tirelessly against the clock. The operations have already led to the recovery of the yacht's chef, Antiguan citizen Ricardo Thomas, whose unfortunate fate was a grim reminder of the storm's ruthlessness.
Compounding these events is the recent bout of extreme weather that has affected much of Italy after a protracted period of heatwaves, pushing Mediterranean sea temperatures to unprecedented highs. Meteorologist Luca Mercalli highlighted the connection between elevated sea temperatures—around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit)—and the increased risk of severe weather phenomena. "This creates an enormous source of energy that contributes to these storms," he noted. While he refrained from attributing these specific events solely to global warming, he acknowledged its potential amplifying effect.
As investigators embark on a thorough examination, the British government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch has dispatched four inspectors to Sicily for an initial evaluation. The focus of the inquiry may center around the yacht's crew’s preparedness and whether they had the opportunity to secure the vessel against the impending storm.
