Seven Missing As Luxury Yacht Sinks After Being Hit By A Tornado In Sicily
Seven people have been reported missing following a 56-metre luxury yacht sinking off the coast of Sicily after it was hit by a tornado.
The Bayesian had 22 people on board, including a one-year-old child and its mother, who were rescued after the boat capsized when a tornado hit close to the shore of Porticello near Palermo very early in the morning, at about 5am. And while 15 people were rescued (including the ship’s captain), a frantic rescue mission is currently underway to find the other seven, with divers and a helicopter continuing to search alongside the coast guard and local firefighters.
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It is believed that four Brits and two Americans are among the missing, with some as-yet-unconfirmed Italian media reports saying the body of one passenger was found this morning floating alongside the boat.
The yacht’s passengers (who were reportedly on holiday in Sicily) were from a number of different countries, including New Zealand, Sir Lanka, Ireland, Canada and also two dual British and French nationals. It is feared that those missing may have been trapped inside their cabins.
This is a developing story.
Cover Photo: Uwe Netzband
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