Seven people, including Michael Lynch, lost their lives when the boat capsized during a violent pre-dawn storm on Monday.
Body of British Tech Magnate Mike Lynch’s Daughter Recovered from Yacht Wreck
Sicily: Italian divers have retrieved the body of Hannah Lynch, the 18-year-old daughter of British tech magnate Mike Lynch, from the wreckage of the family’s luxury yacht. Hannah was the last person still unaccounted for after the vessel sank earlier this week off the coast of Sicily.
The yacht, known as the Bayesian, capsized during a violent pre-dawn storm on Monday. The 56-meter-long (184-foot) boat was caught in the fierce weather near Porticello, close to Palermo, leading to the tragic loss of seven lives, including Lynch himself. The incident has sent shockwaves through both the tech and maritime communities.
Fifteen people survived the disaster, including Lynch’s wife, who owns the company that operated the Bayesian, and the yacht’s captain. As the search and rescue operation concluded, attention has now turned to the official investigation into the disaster’s causes and potential legal ramifications.
The public prosecutor’s office of Termini Imerese, led by Ambrogio Cartosio, is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Possible charges under consideration include negligent shipwreck and multiple homicide, according to judicial sources. The investigation has already involved questioning Captain James Cutfield and the other survivors by the coast guard. However, none of the individuals questioned have publicly commented on the events leading up to the ship’s sinking.
As of now, no one has been formally charged in connection with the tragedy. Prosecutor Cartosio is scheduled to hold a press conference on Saturday to provide further updates on the investigation.
The body of Hannah Lynch was discovered on Friday by divers who had been meticulously searching the submerged vessel for the past five days. The recovery of Hannah’s body brings a somber close to the search for the deceased. Earlier, the bodies of five other passengers were recovered on Wednesday and Thursday. The only crew member who died, onboard chef Recaldo Thomas, was found on the day of the sinking.
In their first public statement since the tragedy, a spokesperson for the Lynch family expressed their devastation. “The Lynch family is devastated, in shock, and is being comforted and supported by family and friends,” the spokesperson said. “Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy. They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coastguard, emergency services, and all those who helped in the rescue.”
The Italian fire brigade, involving over 40 specialists, performed a total of 123 dives to search the wreck of the Bayesian, which lies on its side at a depth of 50 meters (164 feet). The vessel, built by the prestigious Italian yacht manufacturer Perini, has intrigued naval experts who are puzzled by the sinking. They argue that a yacht of such high build quality should have been capable of withstanding the storm and should not have sunk as rapidly as it did.
The investigation into the Bayesian’s sinking will focus on various factors, including the yacht’s design, the storm’s intensity, and the ship’s response to the extreme conditions. The case continues to attract significant attention as experts and authorities work to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the disaster.