One dead, six missing after tornado hits luxury yacht off Sicily

A search operation is underway off the coast of Sicily for six individuals who went missing when a luxury yacht sank after being struck by a tornado early Monday morning.

The incident claimed the life of one of the 22 people aboard the vessel.

The luxury yacht, known as the "Bayesian," was anchored approximately half a mile from the port of Porticello when it was hit by the tornado around 5:00 AM, according to Italy’s Coast Guard.

Violent weather conditions, which included a small waterspout, led to the vessel's rapid sinking.

Among the missing are four British people, including tech mogul Mike Lynch, and two Americans.

Lynch, a prominent figure in the tech industry, has been involved in legal battles since 2011 following the sale of his company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $11 billion.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and one child were among the 15 survivors who were rescued.

Eight individuals, including Bacares, were hospitalized, with one child airlifted to a children’s hospital in Palermo.

The yacht, a 56-meter vessel flying under a British flag, had a diverse crew and passenger list.

The Coast Guard confirmed that the crew included two Anglo-French nationals, one Irish, and one Sri Lankan, in addition to the British and American passengers.

The nationality of the deceased has yet to be disclosed.

A small waterspout developed over the area early Monday, which, coupled with severe storms that had battered Sicily with heavy rainfall, contributed to the yacht’s sinking.

The European Severe Weather Database reported that the region experienced torrential rains, with more than 100mm falling in a matter of hours in nearby Brolo.

Rescue efforts have included divers from the Italian fire brigade, who reached the yacht's hull at a depth of 49m. Helicopters have also been deployed to aid in the search.

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is sending a team of inspectors to Palermo to begin a preliminary investigation into the incident.

The yacht is owned by Revtom Limited, a company registered in the Isle of Man, with Bacares listed as its owner in recent records.