Divers Recover Four Bodies from Mike Lynch’s Sunken Superyacht

In a tragic incident off the coast of Sicily, divers have recovered the bodies of four passengers from the wreck of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch’s luxury superyacht, the Bayesian. The 183-foot vessel sank during a storm near Porticello, Palermo, while carrying a total of 22 individuals.

As the search and rescue operation continues, authorities have confirmed that of those onboard, six people remain missing, including Lynch and his daughter, Hannah. They are joined by prominent figures such as high-profile lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, and Morgan Stanley’s International chair Jonathan Bloomer along with his partner, Judy.

The recovery efforts revealed two bodies hidden in the submerged hull, behind some mattresses, as well as two others located within the wreckage itself. The identities of these individuals have yet to be disclosed. Initial reports indicate that at least one of the deceased may hold a significant status, as described by local media.

Following the sinking, 15 passengers were successfully rescued, which included Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares. The yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was also identified among the casualties shortly after the vessel went under.

Italian officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the yacht’s capsizing. The Italian Coast Guard has employed a remotely operated vehicle to scan the seabed and gather visual evidence to aid the investigation led by the Prosecutor’s Office.

Images sourced from Reuters depict rescue teams at the port of Porticello handling a green body bag, signifying the ongoing search efforts for the other missing persons. The process remains challenging, according to local fire department representatives, who noted that divers are limited to 12-minute underwater shifts due to safety concerns.

Witness accounts to the Italian news agency Ansa suggest that a water spout, or sea tornado, struck the area, leading to the sudden storm conditions that ultimately capsized the yacht. Reports indicate that the vessel may have lost its balance after the mast broke while it was anchored amidst the turbulent weather.

Mike Lynch is known as an influential figure in the UK technology sector, having founded Autonomy, a software company sold to Hewlett-Packard for a staggering $11 billion. This transaction led to a protracted legal battle, resulting in Lynch being acquitted of fraud charges in the United States earlier this year in June. Sources indicate that Lynch was on a celebratory yacht trip marking this acquittal when the tragic incident occurred.

The search and rescue operation for the missing six has now entered its fourth day, with crews tirelessly working to locate and recover those still unaccounted for. The unfolding story continues to draw both national and international attention as the rescue efforts progress.

As of this moment, neither the municipal authorities of Palermo nor the Italian Coast Guard have returned requests for comments regarding the ongoing situation.

Source: Business Insider