British Tech Mogul Mike Lynch Missing After Luxury Yacht Sinks Off Sicily

Mike Lynch, the British technology magnate recently acquitted in a high-profile U.S. fraud case, is among six individuals reported missing after a catastrophic incident involving a luxury superyacht off the coast of Sicily. The vessel, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht named Bayesian, sank in the early hours of Monday morning following a powerful storm.

According to Italy’s civil protection agency, the superyacht was struck by a waterspout, a tornado-like phenomenon over water, near Porticello, close to Palermo. The freak storm hit after 4 a.m., leading to the rapid sinking of the yacht, which had been anchored at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet). The violent weather conditions that caused the sinking were part of a larger storm system that battered the region overnight.

The yacht, which had a total of 22 people on board including 10 crew members and 12 passengers, was severely damaged by the waterspout. As of the latest reports, Lynch and five others are still missing. The search and rescue operations have been challenging due to the adverse weather conditions. Rescue teams, including police divers, have been working tirelessly to locate the vessel’s hull and search for survivors. Their efforts have been hampered by deteriorating weather, which forced them to pause operations temporarily after nightfall.

One body has been recovered from the scene, and rescue operations resumed after 10 p.m. despite worsening weather conditions. Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service, indicated that teams would continue their efforts through the night if conditions permit, to maximize their chances of finding the missing individuals.

Lynch’s wife and 14 other people aboard the yacht survived the incident. The survivors were reported to be in stable condition and are receiving support from emergency services.

The tragic event has drawn significant attention, given Lynch’s recent high-profile legal battles. Lynch, who has been a prominent figure in the tech industry, was acquitted in a major U.S. fraud trial earlier this year. The current situation has heightened concerns for his safety and that of the others still unaccounted for.

Authorities remain hopeful that the ongoing search operations will yield more results, as they continue to battle the challenging conditions and the deep waters where the yacht has sunk but the hopes look bleak.