Specialist divers are continuing their search today for 18-year-old Hannah Lynch, the only person still missing after the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht on Monday. The body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch was among five recovered from the vessel on Thursday, but his teenage daughter remains unaccounted for. An Italian interior ministry official suggested yesterday she may not be inside the yacht.
Mr Lynch, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer , his wife Judy Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, and his wife Neda Morvillo all died when the Bayesian sank during a freak pre-dawn storm off the coast of Sicily. The disaster has baffled experts , who say the vessel – said by its manufacturer to be ‘virtually unsinkable’ – should have withstood the storm. 28s ago Italian coastguard ‘trust’ there will be progress today 22h ago Tributes paid to ‘inspiring figure’ Mike Lynch 24h ago Five bodies identified in Bayesian yacht sinking with sixth still missing 2d ago Bayesian superyacht is ‘unsinkable’, CEO of boat manufacturing firm says The Italian Coastguard ‘trust’ that there will be significant progress today in the search for Hannah Lynch from the wreck of a yacht that sank off Sicily, a spokesman said.
Asked if any developments are expected, Vincenzo Zagarola replied: ‘We trust.’ Specialist divers have stopped today’s search for the missing 18-year-old daughter of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch. She remains the only person unaccounted for after the superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily around 3am on Monday.
A total of six bodies have been recovered since the sinking of the Bayesian. Emergency services saying they believe identities are tech tycoon Mr Lynch , Morgan Stanley International bank chairperson Jonathan Bloomer, his wife, Judy Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, and his wife, Neda Morvillo. A British engineer who survived the disaster is ‘okay’, his brother has confirmed.
Tim Parker-Eaton, from Clophill, Bedfordshire, is one of the 15 people who survived the sinking. His brother Stephen told The Telegraph he is ‘okay’, but cannot say anymore. Stephen said: ‘I’ve just been advised that he’s in a situation, and they’re dealing with it, and I should not make any comment until that has been resolved with the right authorities.
‘I am not aware of the situation – as to what is going on there – I am just aware that he has survived.’ Tim has been associated with the Bayesian for more than a decade, and in 2013 served as the yacht’s chief engineer. The chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which owns several boat brands including the Bayesian’s builder, Perini Navi, said the sinking lasted 16 minutes.
Giovanni Costantino told the Financial Times: ‘The torture lasted 16 minutes. It went down, not in one minute as some scientists have said. ‘It went down in 16 minutes.
‘You can see it from the charts, from the AIS [Automatic Identification System] tracking chart.’ The family of Chris and Neda Morvillo said the couple were killed in the sinking of the Bayesian yacht on Monday. They said: ‘We are completely devastated by the passing of Chris and Neda, and our collective hearts go out to all the families who have also been affected by this senseless tragedy.
‘Chris and Neda were each widely respected for their professional successes, Chris as a distinguished attorney and Neda as a skilled jewellery designer, but their true talents were that of mother and father, son and daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt and dear friends to so many. ‘Neda and Chris lived their lives as devoted, loving parents who always put their daughters and families first. Their passing is a tremendous loss for our family and for the countless people who knew and loved them both.
‘We extend our deepest gratitude to the Italian rescue services for their unwavering dedication and to Clifford Chance for all the support they have provided. ‘As we grieve this enormous loss, our primary focus remains on Chris and Neda’s daughters and other loved ones, and we respectfully request privacy.’ The chief executive of legal AI company Luminance has paid tribute to its founder Mike Lynch, saying he was a ‘visionary unlike any other’ following his death in the luxury yacht disaster off the coast of Sicily.
Eleanor Lightbody said in a statement: ‘I am devastated to hear the news about our founding investor, Mike Lynch, and all of those involved in this tragic accident. ‘Mike was a visionary unlike any other. He had a unique ability to spot the next technological revolution and solve tomorrow’s challenges before others even knew they were coming.
‘Beyond that, it was his connection to people that made him special. He had a steadfast belief in the UK’s technology sector, in our incredible academic institutions, and in the talent he took the time to spot and nurture, regardless of background or discipline. ‘Above all, Mike was a kind man who had an impact on many and will be sorely missed.
I feel honoured to have known him, worked with him and learnt from him over the years. ‘The UK has lost someone with the means, authority, knowledge and drive to propel the UK into technological leadership, but his legacy will live on in all of the extraordinary businesses he built and mentored, as well as his family who are in my thoughts.’ A family friend of technology tycoon Mike Lynch has paid tribute to him following his death in the luxury yacht disaster off the coast of Sicily.
In a statement, Patrick Jacob said: ‘Mike’s ability to identify and solve complex problems was phenomenal as was his ability to simplify and explain them. ‘As a friend, Mike was never dull and always ready for a lively debate on almost any topic conducted with intelligence and convivial vigour. ‘He could be challenging and direct but I never came away from seeing him without feeling my life was enriched by the experience.
’ Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, has paid tribute to Judy Bloomer who was a trustee of gynaecological cancer charity the Eve Appeal. She described Ms Bloomer as ‘our very dear friend’ who was a ‘champion for women’s health, medical research and all that the Eve Appeal stands for’. Ms Bloomer studied English at Homerton College, Cambridge, before working as a psychotherapist for 30 years.
She specialised in anxiety and stress. Mike Lynch who is was killed in the sinking of the Bayesian had recently returned to live at his Suffolk farm following his 12-year legal battle. After he had been acquitted over multiple fraud charges in the US, he returned to his 2,500 acre farm in Wickham Market, Suffolk.
Speaking of his return, he told the East Anglian Daily Times: ‘It was one of those lovely English grey days. ‘I finally made it home and made it up into Suffolk and that was finally the end of the journey, so that was brilliant.’ He lived in Suffolk for 34 years and moved into the farm in 2009.
‘The one thing you find you want to hear about is the most simple things from home. ‘I just wanted to hear “the river is flooded today” or “the electricity went off” or “someone’s cow escaped” – all those things that bring you back to the real world. ‘I was lucky enough to get back to Suffolk in June.
It has been a total delight to be back. ‘The lovely thing I find about Suffolk is there is still a real sense of community there. You get to know lots of people doing all sorts of things.
’ Those on board the Bayesian yacht likely ‘had no warning at all’ about the storm which caused the boat to sink, an expert has said. Oceanographer Dr Simon Boxall said although the vessel was legally obliged to have a watchkeeper, it would have been hard to spot approaching storms at night. He told the BBC : ‘There wasn’t a lot of time for anyone who was on watch to respond.
’ Investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown paid tribute to Jonathan Bloomer, who was previously a board director at the firm, as a ‘giant in financial services’. The group said: ‘We are all deeply saddened by this tragic event. ‘Jonathan was a giant in financial services, and we remember him fondly at Hargreaves Lansdown as someone who made a major impact on the business with his wealth of experience when he served on the board from 2006-2013 including as our senior independent director.
‘We in the Hargreaves Lansdown family will miss him and our thoughts go out to his loved ones, as well as those of the others lost in this awful disaster.’ The chief executive of Morgan Stanley has paid tribute to Jonathan Bloomer who died in the sinking of the Bayesian. Ted Pick said: ‘We are deeply saddened by this tragic news.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the Bloomer family and all those affected by this tragedy. ‘Jonathan’s leadership and experience helped the firm manage a period of complex change for our international businesses. ‘He has been a friend and mentor to many and we will all greatly miss his wise counsel and spirit of kindness.
’ The family of Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy said in a statement: ‘We are grieving for our loved ones and all of those affected by the tragedy. ‘We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency services and everyone who helped tirelessly in this rescue operation. ‘Our parents were incredible people and an inspiration to many, but first and foremost they were focused on and loved their family and spending time with their new grandchildren.
‘Together for five decades, our only comfort is that they are still together now. ‘This is an unimaginable grief to shoulder. Our only ask is that our family’s privacy is respected at this time.
’ Emergency workers ‘need a crystal ball’ to know when and if the next body will be recovered, an Italian fire service spokesman said. Luca Cari said: ‘We would need a crystal ball to know when we’ll be able to find the next body. ‘It’s very difficult to move inside the wreckage.
Moving just one metre can take up to 24 hours.’ Formal identification of bodies retrieved from the Bayesian could last until next week, officials who spoke to The Times said. Formal identification by relatives will be carried out once a day, according to the officials.
The bodies have all been informally identified by authorities who brought them to the shore at Porticello. Mike Lynch’s Autonomy co-founder has paid tribute to him, saying ‘the world has lost a genius’. David Tabizel wrote in a post on X: ‘It looks like we’ve lost our dear Dr Mike Lynch.
RIP. The world has lost a genius. His family have lost a giant of a man.
’ It looks like weâve lost our dear Dr Mike Lynch. RIP. The world has lost a genius.
His family have lost a giant of a man. #MikeLynch #Autonomy pic.twitter.
com/eBesEwOe88 The Italian fire service has shared an update about the rescue operation after the fifth body was recovered from the Bayesian. Vigili del Fuoco posted a picture of their equipment on X, adding: ‘The dives in the sea began in the early hours of the morning and continue for the search and recovery of the last missing person.’ ‘The body of the fifth victim was recovered and brought ashore by the divers,’ they added.
A campaign has been launched ‘in memory’ of Mike Lynch – ‘Britain’s Bill Gates’ – to abolish the extradition treaty between the UK and the US. The tech magnate was charged with fraud in the US in 2018. For five years, he fought being sent there for trial until he was finally extradited in 2023.
As soon as the US Marshals took him into custody at London Heathrow, he was chained and bundled on board a United Airlines flight. Mr Lynch was cleared of all charges – only a few weeks before his superyacht capsized off the coast of Sicily. Upon his return to the UK, he used his legal case to show why the extradition treaty between the two nations should be scrapped.
Conservative MP Sir David Davis said the treaty, which was implemented in 2003, lopsided in favour of the Americans and does not provide adequate protections for British citizens. The politician, who had taken an interest in Mr Lynch’s extradition ordeal and developed a close relationship with him, he viewed it as a ‘duty of care’ to the late billionaire’s memory ‘to actually maintain that campaign to get it [the extradition treaty] abolished’. He told GB News: ‘We need to get a grip of this.
Mike, when he’d won his case, almost the first thing he did was ring me up and say, “we’re going to have to defeat this treaty, we’re going to have to overcome this treaty and get it changed for the better”.’ Plans to raise the superyacht from the Mediterranean seabed are ‘not on the agenda,’ a spokesperson from the Italian Coastguard has said. Vincenzo Zagarola said: ‘This is not a topic on the agenda.
It will be, but not now.’ He also said that the Italian Coastguard’s working theory is still that the missing woman is inside the boat. Tributes continue to pour in from industry leaders, colleagues, and friends, highlighting the profound impact Mike Lynch had on those around him.
A pioneering figure in the tech industry, the 59-year-old was known for his role in founding Autonomy, one of the most successful software companies in the UK. Lord John Browne, chair of Beyond Net Zero said Britain has lost a ‘human being of great ability’. In a tribute on X, he reflected on Mr Lynch’s unique vision and leadership.
‘Mike Lynch should be remembered as the person who catalysed a breed of deep tech entrepreneurs in the UK,’ he wrote. ‘His ideas and his personal vision were a powerful contribution to science and technology in both Britain and globally. I send my condolences to those close to him.
We have lost a human being of great ability.’ Mike Lynch should be remembered as the person who catalysed a breed of deep tech entrepreneurs in the UK. His ideas and his personal vision were a powerful contribution to science and technology in both Britain and globally.
I send my condolences to those close to him. We have⦠Feel very privileged to have known and spoken with Mike Lynch over many years: a visionary and original thinker with a passion for building businesses. There are sadly too few like him in the UK.
Sincere condolences to his family & loved ones (1n) MORE : Hospital ‘told family their daughter was discharged – but her was body in morgue’ MORE : Six unanswered questions over sinking of Bayesian superyacht MORE : Our only comfort is they’re together, say kids of couple killed on sunken yacht Sign Up for News Updates Get your need-to-knowlatest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more Privacy Policy.
