Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International Bank, and Chris Morvillo, a lawyer with Clifford Chance, are among six people missing after a luxury yacht sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily on Monday, according to Sicily's Civil Protection agency. The tragic incident occurred approximately 700 meters (2,300 feet) from the Mediterranean island's shore, with the 56-meter Bayesian yacht carrying 22 people, including British, American, and Canadian nationals. Among the missing are UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
The yacht, which was sailing under a British flag, had 10 crew members and 12 passengers onboard. Fifteen people were rescued from the water, including a one-year-old British girl. Unfortunately, the body of the ship’s cook was recovered, according to Sicily's Civil Protection reports BBC.
The yacht capsized around 5:00 AM local time after being struck by a severe storm that caused waterspouts, or rotating columns of air, leading to the vessel’s mast breaking and the ship losing balance before sinking. Witnesses reported that the Bayesian’s anchor was down when the storm hit, contributing to the yacht's instability. The wreckage now lies on the seabed at a depth of 50 meters, and divers are set to resume their search for the missing individuals.
The Bayesian was reportedly carrying 22 people, including passengers and crew. The yacht's registered owner is listed as Revtom Ltd., with Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, .