UK technology tycoon Mike Lynch has been confirmed dead after his body was recovered from the wreckage of his yacht, which sank off the coast of Sicily.
The incident occurred earlier this week when the luxury yacht “Bayesian,” owned by Lynch’s family, was struck by a waterspout, causing it to sink rapidly.
The 56-metre yacht, anchored near Porticello, was hosting a celebratory event for Lynch, who had recently been acquitted in a major fraud case in the United States.
Among the guests were Lynch’s wife, who was one of 15 people rescued, and several other prominent individuals, including Lynch’s daughter, who is still missing.
Rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of six victims, including a man believed to be the yacht’s chef.
Specialist divers continue to search for the remaining missing person.
Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the sinking, with initial reports suggesting that the disaster may have been preventable.
Giovanni Costantino, head of the company that built the “Bayesian,” has suggested that a series of errors led to the tragedy.
He pointed out that the bad weather was predicted, and standard safety protocols, such as gathering passengers at a designated assembly point, were not properly followed.
The yacht, which featured the world’s tallest aluminum sailing mast, was considered a robust vessel, with its design intended to withstand severe weather conditions.
However, security footage suggested that the yacht experienced a short circuit, possibly due to taking on water, just before it sank.
The investigation is ongoing, with both Italian and UK authorities involved in determining the exact circumstances that led to the loss of the yacht and its passengers.
