British tech tycoon missing after yacht sinks

A British mother on board a yacht which sank off the coast of Sicily has described holding her baby girl above the surface of the sea to save her from drowning
https://t.co/UNCydE4DsC

— Jim Pickard 🐋 (@PickardJE) August 19, 2024

A tornado sank a luxury sailing boat off the coast of Sicily early Monday, leaving one person dead and six missing. The British-flagged yacht, called the Bayesian, was carrying 22 people when it capsized near the port of Porticello. Among the missing are British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and Chris Morvillo, a prominent lawyer. Italy’s Coast Guard rescued fifteen people from the wreckage. Eyewitnesses described furious gales and hurricane-like winds that created an avalanche of debris near the pier.

Mike Lynch, former Autonomy chief executive and one of the UK’s best-known tech entrepreneurs, is among those missing after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicilyhttps://t.co/2PccoMMajS via @ft

— Jim Pickard 🐋 (@PickardJE) August 19, 2024

Survivor Charlotte Golunski, 35, recounted her struggle to hold onto her 1-year-old daughter, Sofia, amidst the fury of the waves. Both were later reunited with Charlotte’s husband, James, at a children’s hospital in Palermo.

A British tech entrepreneur is reportedly missing after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily https://t.co/Q2qjSDi8Gj

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 19, 2024

British tycoon among missing yacht victims

The 56-meter yacht, built in 2008 by Italian company Perini Navi, is available for charter for $215,000 per week. It was reportedly undertaking a cruise to celebrate Mike Lynch’s recent acquittal in a fraud trial in the United States. Italy’s fire brigade dispatched helicopters and divers to assist in the search. Divers attempted to enter the sunken ship but were limited by the depth of the wreck, which lies 49 meters below sea level. Strong storms across Sicily brought torrential rainfall, and initial reports suggest a small waterspout developed over the area Monday morning, leading to the yacht’s sinking. The Mediterranean has experienced record temperatures recently, contributing to the likelihood of such extreme weather conditions. The search and rescue efforts continue as authorities and loved ones await further developments. An investigation has been opened by prosecutors in Termini Imerese, with survivors providing accounts of the chaotic scene as the yacht was hit by strong winds and sank rapidly.