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, named as the sole legal owner.
Bacares was one of the 15 people rescued. A British mother, Charlotte Golunski, and her one-year-old daughter also survived. Golunski described the harrowing experience to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, recalling how she clutched her baby above the surface of the water to save her from drowning amid the chaos.
Survivors noted that the trip was organized by Lynch for his work colleagues. In the aftermath, a nearby Dutch-flagged vessel rescued survivors from the sea, providing aid until emergency services arrived. Captain Karsten Borner, who led the rescue operation, recounted how his crew noticed the yacht behind them had disappeared after the storm passed.
They then spotted a red flare and discovered a life raft carrying 15 survivors, three of whom were "heavily injured." Eight of the rescued individuals are currently receiving treatment in hospital. The UK foreign office has confirmed it is supporting several British nationals and their families following the incident.
Additionally, Britain’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch is sending a team of inspectors to conduct a preliminary assessment into the sinking of the UK-registered yacht. The search operation for the missing persons is expected to recommence early Tuesday morning, according to Italian media reports..
