Four Brits are among seven people missing from a ship that sunk off the coast of Sicily , with at least one person believed dead. Witnesses say there was a party taking place onboard the Bayesian, which was carrying an English flag at the time, and it was anchored near the port when it was surprised by a sudden onslaught of rough weather. Divers from Italian emergency services are continuing to look for those who have not been accounted for after the Bayesian sunk around 5am this morning off the coast of Porticello, near the capital Palermo.
There were 22 people on board the luxury yach t that is understood to have sunk during a tornado, with weather warnings having been in place and harrowing CCTV footage from the area showing umbrellas and deckchairs blowing around violently. The boat went down in poor sailing conditions about half a mile from the coast and it is reported that the captain, who has been badly shaken by the incident, will be interviewed by police. The vessel was in the port of Porticello and last night set sail despite the rough seas and strong winds.
There were reportedly mainly British people onboard but also a New Zealander, a Sri Lankan citizen, two Anglo-French and an Irishman. Four Brits, a Canadian and two Americans are believed to be lost alongside one crew member, a cook and it is also reported by RAI that divers have now recovered the body of a man who was found in the water by the boat. Survivors were first taken to Porticciolo and a one-year-old b.