Mike Lynch and Others Missing as Bayesian Yacht Capsizes Near Sicily…
In a tragic incident off the coast of Sicily, British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter are among six individuals reported missing after their luxury yacht, the Bayesian, sank early on Monday morning. The 56-meter (183-foot) vessel was caught in a violent storm, which led to its capsizing near the village of Porticello, close to Palermo.
The Bayesian, which was carrying 22 people from various countries including Britain, the United States, and Canada, encountered severe weather conditions that caused the vessel to lose balance and sink. Witnesses reported that the yacht capsized around 5 a.m. local time after a waterspout, a tornado-like phenomenon over water, struck the area. The storm also brought heavy winds and waterspouts, creating chaotic and dangerous conditions at sea.
Business Tycoon, Mike Lynch
Rescue Operations Continue Amid Stormy Conditions
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with local authorities and divers searching for the missing. So far, 15 people have been rescued, including a one-year-old British girl and her mother who survived the ordeal. Charlotte Golunski described being woken by thunder and lightening that felt like “the end of the world” before being thrown into the water, holding her one-year-old baby above the waves.
“For two seconds I lost my daughter in the sea then quickly hugged her amid the fury of the waves,” she told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
“I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning … It was all dark. In the water I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others.”
British mother, Charlotte Golunski
The search and rescue operation is being carried out with the help of coastguard vessels, helicopters, and specialist cave divers, who are working in challenging conditions. The wreckage of the Bayesian has been located 50 meters below the surface, but access remains difficult due to debris and worsening weather.
Local media have reported that Mike Lynch, a prominent figure known for founding the software company Autonomy, his daughter Hannah Lynch, and the yacht’s chef are among those still missing. Lynch, who has been dubbed “the British Bill Gates,” sold his company to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion (£8.6 billion) in 2011. He was acquitted of fraud charges related to the sale earlier this year.
Eyewitness Accounts and Survivor Stories
Survivors of the sinking have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences. Charlotte Golunski, a British survivor, described how she held her one-year-old daughter above the waves amidst the chaos of the storm. Golunski managed to cling to her daughter until a lifeboat was deployed, allowing them both to reach safety. Her husband and colleagues from London were also on board but survived the incident.
Another witness, Karsten Borner, captain of the nearby vessel Sir Robert Baden Powell, reported spotting a red flare and locating a lifeboat with 15 survivors. Borner and his crew rescued these individuals, some of whom were seriously injured, and alerted the coastguard.
See here for interviews and comments from witnesses…
International Response and Ongoing Search
The UK Foreign Office is providing consular support to British nationals and their families affected by the tragedy. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has dispatched a team of inspectors to conduct a preliminary assessment of the sinking. The Bayesian, which was built in 2008 and previously named Salute, was available for charter at a rate of up to 195,000 euros (about $215,000) per week. It featured a single, 75-meter (246-foot) mast and a sleek, minimalist interior.
As the search continues, local fishermen and rescue teams remain hopeful for more survivors. The intense storm and waterspout are believed to have contributed to the disaster, with eyewitnesses noting the severity of the weather conditions.
The Bayesian
WHAT WE KNOW
Click here to watch an update on the situation before now- Sky News
The sinking of the Bayesian has left a tragic mark on Sicily, with the ongoing search for the missing highlighting the challenges faced during severe weather events. The incident underscores the need for heightened safety measures and preparedness when navigating treacherous conditions at sea. As rescue operations proceed, the international community continues to support the efforts to locate those still missing and provide aid to the survivors.
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