Prosecutors in Italy said Saturday they have opened an investigation into culpable shipwreck and multiple manslaughter after a superyacht capsized during a storm off the coast of Sicily, killing seven people onboard, They included British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his daughter. Termini Imerese prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio confirmed the investigation has been launched, but said no suspect is currently identified. "We are only in the initial phase of the investigation.
We can't exclude any sort of development at present," he told reporters at a news conference. Cartosio said his team will carefully consider each possible element of responsibility, including those of the ship's captain, the crew, individuals in charge of supervision, the ship-builder and others. RELATED STORY | British tech giant Mike Lynch among 5 bodies recovered from sunken superyacht off Sicily "For me, it is probable that offences were committed, that it could be a case of manslaughter, but we can only establish that if you give us the time to investigate," he said.
The main question investigators are focusing on is how a sailing vessel deemed "unsinkable" by its manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed. Prosecutors said the event was "extremely rapid" and information they gained seemed to point to a "downburst," a localized, powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm and spreads out rapidly upon hitting the ground. Initially, Civil protectio.