A luxury superyacht carrying foreign tourists capsized and sank off the coast of Sicily early Monday during severe weather, leaving one person dead and six others missing, Italian authorities reported.
The British-flagged “Bayesian,” a 56-meter (184-foot) vessel, was carrying 22 people, including 10 crew members and 12 passengers of British, American, and Canadian nationalities, according to the Italian coast guard.
Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service, confirmed that 15 people were initially rescued and taken to shore at Porticello. Eight of the survivors were hospitalized. One body was recovered near the wreck site, while search efforts continue for the six unaccounted individuals.
The yacht capsized around 5 a.m. local time off the port of Porticello. Rescue teams have located the wreck at a depth of 50 meters (163 feet).
A multi-agency rescue operation is underway, involving helicopters and boats from the coast guard, carabinieri, fire rescue, and civil protection service. Experienced deep-water divers are being deployed to attempt entry into the hull, Cari said.
According to the coast guard, those still missing include one crew member and six passengers.
Local media reported that a fierce storm, including waterspouts, had battered the area overnight. However, by Monday morning, skies had cleared and seas were calm.
The “Bayesian,” built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, had been moored off the port at Porticello, according to the ANSA news agency.
Italian authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the yacht’s sinking. The incident has raised questions about maritime safety during severe weather conditions in the Mediterranean.
As the search and rescue operation continues, families of the missing passengers and crew await news. International consular officials are working with Italian authorities to provide support to those affected by the incident.
The sinking of the “Bayesian” marks one of the most significant maritime accidents involving a luxury yacht in recent years in the Mediterranean region.
