Boat sinks off Sicily, Italy; 2 Americans among 6 missing persons

Rome — A tragic incident unfolded off the southern coast of Sicily on Monday, as six individuals, including two U.S. citizens, were reported missing following the sinking of a sailboat during a severe storm. The 184-foot vessel, known as the Bayesian, had been anchored approximately half a mile from Porticello, a port near Palermo, and was carrying 22 individuals at the time—10 crew members and 12 passengers.

The sailboat capsized around 5 a.m. local time (11 p.m. Eastern on Sunday) after being struck by what is believed to have been a waterspout caused by the intense storm conditions. Local media reported that the strong winds snapped the vessel’s mast, which disrupted its stability and ultimately led to its sinking.

Out of those aboard, 15 were able to escape the sinking boat and were rescued by a nearby Dutch-flagged vessel. These survivors were subsequently taken ashore by Italian Coast Guard personnel and firefighting teams.

Thus far, one body has been recovered, a male victim whose identity remains undisclosed. The ongoing search efforts have highlighted the urgency of the situation as six individuals remain unaccounted for, including nationals from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Although Italian media confirmed the presence of two U.S. nationals among the missing, attempts to obtain official confirmation from the Coast Guard were unsuccessful.

Among the survivors was a one-year-old British girl, reported to be in stable condition along with her parents, who are also receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility.

The search and rescue operations continued throughout the day on Monday, involving four Coast Guard vessels, a helicopter, and a dive team from the national Fire Brigade. The area where the Bayesian sank has a reported depth of around 160 feet, complicating the recovery efforts.

Italian media outlets stated that divers from the Fire Brigade managed to reach the submerged boat and reported seeing bodies trapped within some of its cabins.

Witness accounts describe the boat sinking almost instantly. Pietro Asciutto, a local fisherman, recounted the harrowing moment: “I was at home when the tornado hit. I immediately closed all the windows. Then I saw the boat; it had only one mast and was very large. Suddenly, I witnessed it sink. The boat was still floating when, all at once, it disappeared. I saw it sink with my own eyes.”

This incident comes against a backdrop of a maritime crisis in the region, where numerous migrants have tragically lost their lives attempting to reach Sicily and nearby Italian islands in recent years. Located roughly 100 miles from the eastern coast of Tunisia in North Africa, the Mediterranean Sea has become a perilous journey for many, as smugglers commonly overcrowd small boats with vulnerable individuals desperate for safety and refuge.

As rescue efforts continue, officials are calling for a comprehensive evaluation of safety measures and protocols to prevent such disasters in the future.

Source: CBS News