Italian prosecutors suggest human error may have caused the sinking of the superyacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily, leading to the deaths of seven people.
The yacht, carrying 22 passengers, sank early Monday after being struck by a powerful downburst wind.
Among the victims were British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. Lynch’s wife and the yacht’s captain were among the 15 survivors.
Ambrogio Cartosio, head of the prosecutor’s office in Termini Imerese, announced an investigation into manslaughter and negligent shipwreck, stating that while it’s too early to determine the exact cause, human error cannot be ruled out.
He emphasized that the investigation is in its initial phase and not aimed at any individual yet.
The local fire rescue service revealed that the bodies were found in the highest part of the ship, indicating that passengers were trying to take shelter in cabins on the left-hand side before the ship sank.
The vessel landed on its right side, and recovery of the wreck gives more answers, though the operation is expected to be complex and expensive.
Experts are puzzled by how the Bayesian sank within 60 seconds. Italian media reported that an open hatch and a partially raised keel might have contributed to the rapid sinking, though investigators have refrained from commenting until the vessel is recovered.
Search efforts were intense, with divers conducting 123 dives to recover the bodies.
The first body recovered was that of chef Recaldo Thomas, followed by the bodies of Lynch’s attorney Chris Morvillo, Morgan Stanley International chair Jonathan Bloomer, and their spouses. Mike Lynch’s body was found later, and his daughter Hannah was the last to be recovered.
Mike Lynch, once dubbed Britain’s Bill Gates, was celebrating his recent legal victory in the US with a luxurious trip around Sicily on the 56-metre yacht.
The Bayesian’s captain, James Cutfield, is expected to undergo further questioning as part of the investigation.
British and American authorities are also involved in the case, with the British ambassador to Italy, Ed Llewellyn, expressing gratitude to Italian rescue teams and divers for their efforts.
Prosecutors Suggest Human Error Have Led to Sicily Yacht Tragedy.
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