Sicily, August 19, 2024 — Jonathan Bloomer, Chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and prominent UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch are among the six individuals reported missing after a luxury yacht sank during a violent storm off the coast of Sicily on Monday, according to Sicily's Civil Protection.
The 56-meter yacht, named Bayesian, encountered severe weather conditions around 5:00 a.m. local time near Porticello, east of Palermo. The vessel, which had 22 people onboard including British, American, and Canadian nationals, was reportedly struck by waterspouts—rotating columns of air that caused the yacht to capsize.
Among the missing are Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Lynch, known for co-founding the software company Autonomy, was previously embroiled in a high-profile fraud case. Although he was acquitted in June, this incident adds to his string of recent misfortunes. Also unaccounted for are Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and three other individuals.
Rescue operations have been underway, with 15 survivors, including a one-year-old British girl, already brought to safety. The body of the ship's cook has also been recovered. The yacht’s anchor was reportedly down during the storm, which led to the mast breaking and the vessel losing balance.
Witnesses recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the sinking. British mother Charlotte Golunski, who survived with her young daughter, described the storm as “the end of the world,” recounting how she fought to keep her baby above water.
The search and recovery efforts continue with divers preparing to explore the wreckage, which lies at a depth of 50 meters. The UK Foreign Office is assisting British nationals affected by the incident, while a team from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch is set to assess the sinking.