A yacht flying the English flag and carrying 22 people has tragically sunk off Palermo in southern Italy during a , leaving seven individuals unaccounted for. Among those missing are four Brits, a Canadian, two Americans, and one crew member who served as a cook. The Port Authority is spearheading the investigation into the incident.
Emergency services have managed to rescue 15 people, including a one year old baby, from the wreckage. Coast guard patrols are tirelessly continuing their search for the remaining passengers who were aboard the vessel when it encountered difficulties around 5am this morning. It's believed that the boat sank amidst severe weather conditions as a tornado struck Sicily.
Divers have already reached the hull, located 49 meters deep and about half a mile from the coast. Survivors have been transported to Porticciolo, reports . If you're in Sicily and have witnessed the rescue operation, we'd love to hear from you at webnews@dailystar.
co.uk. Initial reports indicate that the vessel was registered under the English flag.
The majority of those on board were British, but there were also passengers from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Anglo-French citizens, and an Irishman. A helicopter has joined the search for the yacht, named "Bajesian". Those rescued are receiving local care, including the one-year-old child who has been taken to the Children's Hospital in Palermo.
"Due to the bad weather that hit the Palermo area, a sailing boat of about 50 meters with 22 peop.