Several British tourists are feared missing after a boat sank off the coast of Sicily. The UK-flagged sailboat’s sinking has left seven individuals unaccounted for following a rescue operation. The Italian Coastguard and firefighters managed to rescue fifteen people, including a one-year-old child. It is believed the vessel succumbed to a tornado that hit the region. The majority of those on board were British, along with a New Zealander, a Sri Lankan national, two Anglo-French individuals, and an Irish citizen.
According to the Italian news outlet Il Fatto Quotidiano, the boat went down near Porticello around 5 am local time (4 am GMT) on Monday (August 19). Dive teams have reached the sunken hull, located 49 meters underwater and roughly half a mile from shore, as reported by the Express. Those rescued from the ill-fated vessel have been brought to Porticciolo, detailed Il Fatto Quotidiano. The Agenzia ANSA news service has announced that efforts to find the seven missing from the dawn-sunken sailing boat are ongoing near Porticello.
The agency’s report indicates that the missing include four Britons, a Canadian, and two Americans. A Facebook post showing the last image taken at 10 pm before the disaster stated: “Last picture I took at 10 pm. The yacht on the left sunk at 4:05, caught in the middle of the hurricane 300 meters from the port of Porticello, next to another sailboat that provided rescue.” Another Italian daily, Corriere della Sera, has identified the boat involved as the Bayesian, a superyacht launched in 2008. The Superyacht Times reported that the Bayesian’s hull and superstructure are constructed out of aluminum and are outfitted with two MTU engines, facilitating a top speed of 15.6 knots.
It’s been disclosed that the vessel was crafted by Perini Navi, a renowned boat maker located in Viareggio, Tuscany. The boat capsized around 5 am off Palermo. Local media said a fierce storm, including water spouts, battered the area overnight. The daily Il Giornale de Sicilia reported the sailboat was flying a British flag and had mostly British passengers on board, but also people from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and British-French citizens. The ANSA news agency said the boat, named as Bajesian, had been moored in the port at Porticello and set sail on Sunday evening.
The search for the missing individuals is ongoing, with fears growing for their safety. Efforts to locate and rescue them are continuing amidst challenging conditions. The authorities are coordinating search and rescue operations to ensure the safety and well-being of all those affected by this tragic incident.