By The Nexus Gazette.
21th August, 2024.
Search continues for missing passengers after luxury superyacht sinks during storm.
In a heartbreaking development, scuba divers have recovered two bodies from the wreckage of tech billionaire Mike Lynch’s family yacht, which sank off the coast of Sicily two days ago. The discovery comes as part of an ongoing search operation after the luxury superyacht, named Bayesian, was lost during a violent storm near Porticello, Palermo.
The Bayesian, a renowned luxury yacht registered in the UK, encountered severe weather conditions while moored off the coast of Sicily. The storm’s intensity caused the yacht, owned by a company linked to Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, to sink rapidly, triggering an urgent search and rescue mission. On board were 22 people, and the recent discovery of two bodies inside the sunken vessel has added to the mounting tragedy.
The sinking of Mike Lynch’s yacht has left six passengers still unaccounted for, including Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Also missing are Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy, as well as Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda. The only confirmed fatality before the latest discovery was the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan national whose body was recovered shortly after the incident.
The Bayesian was a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship, built by Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi in 2008. Known for its nearly 250-foot aluminum mast, the tallest of its kind in the world, the yacht was designed to host 12 guests and a crew of 10. The Mediterranean sailing trip was meant to be a celebratory retreat for Lynch, who had invited key members of his legal defense team. Unfortunately, the journey ended in disaster when the yacht was overwhelmed by the storm.
Rescue teams continue to scour the area in search of the remaining missing passengers, but hopes of finding survivors are fading as time passes. The discovery of two more bodies within the sunken yacht underscores the severity of the incident and the dangers posed by sudden and violent storms at sea. The families of those still missing are left in a state of anguish, waiting for news as the search efforts continue.
In a tragic coincidence, Stephen Chamberlain, Lynch’s co-defendant in an ongoing legal case, was killed in a car accident while jogging in a village north of London just days before the yacht disaster. Chamberlain was not on board the Bayesian, but his sudden death has compounded the grief surrounding this already devastating situation.
This devastating event has not only claimed lives but also cast a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a peaceful Mediterranean retreat for Mike Lynch and his guests. As rescue efforts continue, the tragedy highlights the unpredictable dangers of the sea and the profound impact of natural disasters on even the most well-prepared vessels. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families affected by this heartbreaking loss.
Resources:
1.https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c6237gnl11yt
4.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/bodies-found-luxury-yacht-sank-sicily-mike-lynch-rcna167532
6.https://people.com/bodies-recovered-from-sunken-sicily-yacht-8697738