Irish national on board as sailboat sinks near Sicily: one person dead, six missing and 15 rescued after boat hit by waterspout

50-metre sailboat with 22 people on board sank in the early hours of Monday off the coast of the Sicilian city of Palermo The boat, flying a British flag, sank when a whirlwind and rough seas hit the area at sunrise Irish national among the 22 on board Italy's Coast Guard and firefighters rescued 15 people, including a child Seven people still missing The Sicilian coast guard released this image of the rescue mission early on Monday One person died and six people were missing after a luxury yacht was struck by a whirlwind and sank off the coast of the Sicilian capital Palermo, Italian media reported. Fifteen people have also been rescued by the Italian coast guard. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.