Photo: The Canadian Press This picture taken from video released by the Italian Coast Guard on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, shows the rescue operations in the stretch of Sea near Palermo, Sicily, in southern Italy, where the sail yacht Bayasian under UK flag sank early Monday. (Italian Coast Guard via AP, HO) UPDATE 1:20 p.
m. Global Affairs Canada said Monday it's aware of reports that a Canadian has died after a luxury superyacht sank off Sicily during a violent storm, while Italian authorities said they continued to search for six people who remained unaccounted for. In a statement Monday afternoon, Global Affairs said consular officials were in contact with local authorities, but said it could provide no further information due to privacy concerns.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this tragic event," the agency said. British tech magnate Mike Lynch was among the people who remain unaccounted for after their chartered sailboat sank off Porticello, when a tornado over the water known as a waterspout struck the area overnight, said Salvo Cocina of Sicily’s civil protection agency. His wife, Angela Bacares, and 14 other people survived.
One body had been recovered, and police divers were trying to reach the hull of the ship, which was resting at a depth of 50 meters off Porticello, near Palermo, where it had been anchored, rescue authorities said. The ship had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, the Italian coast guard said. A sudden fierce storm had ba.