In this handout screen grab taken from a video provided by Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili dei del Fuoco, an Italian Coast Guard ship is seen at the site of a sunken vessel on August 19, 2024 in Palermo, Italy. Several people, including four Britons, two Americans and a Canadian national, are missing after the 50-metre luxury yacht Bayesian carrying 22 passengers sank of the coast of Porticello in the province of Palermo, Sicily, at around 03:00 GMT. Italy's coastguard and firefighters brought 15 people to safety with rescue and recovery efforts ongoing. Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili dei del Fuoco via Getty Images
As reported by CNN, a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday, August 19. The 56-meter sailing vessel, named "Bayesian," was struck by a violent storm around 4 A.M. local time near Porticello, Italy.
As a result, it has now led to a major search and rescue operation for the missing.
However, CNBC reported that among those missing are Jonathan Bloomer, Chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, along with his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
The yacht, which was carrying 10 crew members and 12 passengers, capsized rapidly after its mast broke during the storm. The incident has left the families and associates of those on board in distress.
Another CNN report stated that besides Bloomer and Lynch, missing individuals include Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda, as well as Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who was among the 15 people rescued.
The yacht trip was reportedly a celebration for Lynch, who was recently acquitted of fraud charges.
Now, the yacht sank in relatively shallow waters, with the depth at the site of the incident reported to be around 50 meters.
The Italian coastguard has confirmed the death of one person, the ship's cook, while rescue operations continue.
Italian emergency services are facing challenges in their search efforts due to the wreck's complicated structure and narrow access points. Divers have begun operations to access the ship's cabins in hopes of finding the missing individuals.
Renato Schifani, President of the Region of Sicily, expressed his condolences and praised the efforts of emergency workers and volunteers.
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