Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the tragic sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, which resulted in the deaths of seven people. The inquiry will examine potential crimes of “shipwreck and manslaughter,” although no specific individuals are currently being targeted.
Among the deceased are UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, who were on board the yacht during the early morning storm on Monday. The vessel went down in approximately 50 meters (164 feet) of water, and initial reports suggested it might have been caused by a waterspout. However, authorities now believe a powerful localized wind known as a downburst is the likely culprit.
The bodies of Jonathan Bloomer, a former Morgan Stanley International chairman, his wife Judy Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, and his wife Neda Morvillo were recovered following an intensive search. Canadian-Antiguan chef Recaldo Thomas was found at the scene on Monday. Post-mortems are planned to determine the exact causes of death.
Ambrogio Cartosio, chief prosecutor of Termini Imerese, stated at a press conference on Saturday that the coastguard was alerted at 04:38 local time on Monday, but the yacht had already sunk by the time they arrived. Cartosio indicated that it is “probable that offences were committed” and that the investigation will determine the responsibility of the captain, crew, supervisors, and others involved.
Raffaele Macauda, deputy commander of the Palermo coastguard, noted that the weather conditions at the time were abnormal, with forecasts predicting strong winds and a storm. However, there was no specific tornado warning. Macauda suggested that the yacht’s captain should have taken necessary precautions.
The Italian Air Force has confirmed that a downburst, a powerful wind descending from a thunderstorm, most likely caused the sinking. Girolamo Bentivoglio Fiandra from Palermo’s fire brigade explained that the yacht sank stern-first and rolled onto its side, leading some victims to seek refuge in cabins on the left side of the vessel where air bubbles formed.
The search and recovery operation has been challenging due to poor visibility and depth. Around 70 divers have participated in the operation, which involved 123 dives. Authorities are also monitoring environmental conditions and considering the recovery of the yacht from the seabed, a process that could take up to eight weeks.
The yacht was reportedly carrying passengers who were celebrating Lynch’s recent acquittal in a US fraud case. Lynch, who founded the software company Autonomy, had been cleared of fraud charges related to its $11 billion sale to Hewlett Packard.
Friends and family have paid tribute to the victims, with the Bloomer family describing Jonathan and Judy as “incredible people” and expressing solace that they remain together in death. Friends of Hannah Lynch have praised her as a “warm and beautiful soul,” and Andrew Kanter, a close friend of Mike Lynch, described him as the “most brilliant” and “caring” person he had ever known.
