Two Americans Among Six Missing After Boat Sinks Off Sicily, Italy

Rome — A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of Sicily on Monday when a sailboat sank during a severe storm, leaving six people unaccounted for, including two U.S. nationals. The 184-foot vessel, the Bayesian, was anchored approximately half a mile from Porticello, close to Palermo, with a total of 22 occupants on board — 10 crew members and 12 passengers.

The boat went down at around 5 a.m. local time (11 p.m. Eastern on Sunday) after it was potentially struck by a waterspout linked to the storm. Italian news outlets reported that fierce winds caused the mast to snap, which ultimately led to the vessel’s capsizing.

Fortunately, 15 individuals managed to escape and were rescued by a nearby Dutch-flagged ship that was also anchored in the area. They were subsequently taken to shore by the Italian Coast Guard and fire crews.

As the search efforts continued, one unidentified male body was recovered, while six individuals remained missing. Among those unaccounted for are nationals from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Although local media indicated two U.S. citizens are among the missing, confirmation from the Coast Guard was not immediately available.

A one-year-old British girl survived the ordeal and is receiving treatment at a local hospital, alongside her parents, who have also been reported to be in good condition.

Later in the day, rescue operations remained ongoing, utilizing four Coast Guard vessels, a helicopter, and divers from the national Fire Brigade. The Bayesian is believed to have sunk in waters about 160 feet deep.

Italian media reported that divers from the Fire Brigade reached the submerged vessel and observed bodies trapped in some of its cabins.

Witness accounts reveal that the boat sank rapidly. “I was at home when the tornado hit,” recounted local fisherman Pietro Asciutto. “I immediately closed all the windows, then I saw the boat, which had only one mast and was very large. Suddenly… I saw it sink. The boat was floating, then it just vanished before my eyes.”

This incident involving the rented pleasure yacht in Sicily contrasts sharply with the region’s history of tragedies in its waters. Over the past decade, numerous migrants have lost their lives while trying to reach Sicily and other smaller Italian islands.

Geographically, Sicily is positioned roughly 100 miles from Tunisia’s east coast in North Africa, making it a frequent point for both rescue operations and unfortunate disasters. Smugglers often overload small boats with desperate migrants seeking a better life, resulting in perilous crossings across the Mediterranean.