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Sicily Yacht Wreck: Divers Report Finding Two Bodies

Wednesday 21 August 2024 - 16:35

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In a somber development off the coast of Sicily, divers scouring the wreckage of the luxury yacht *Bayesian* have reportedly discovered two bodies, marking a grim turn in the ongoing search operation. The vessel, which sank on Monday morning near the port of Porticello, was carrying 22 people when it encountered what is believed to have been a tornado or waterspout.

The incident has captured international attention due to the high-profile individuals among the missing. These include UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his teenage daughter, Hannah; Morgan Stanley International Chair Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy; as well as Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda.

The search, now in its third day, has been fraught with challenges. Rescue teams have struggled to access the yacht's hull, and once breached, their efforts were further hampered by furniture and debris. The body of the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered shortly after the sinking, providing a grim preview of the task at hand.

Reuters, citing an unnamed source, reported the discovery of two additional bodies on Wednesday. However, the identities and genders of these individuals have not been disclosed, adding to the tension and uncertainty surrounding the search efforts.

As the rescue operation continues, parallel investigations are underway to determine the circumstances that led to this tragedy. The yacht's captain, James Cutfield, 51, has reportedly undergone extensive questioning, spending over two hours with investigators. Simultaneously, the port authority has launched its own inquiry, separate from that of the public prosecutor in Termini Imerese, Sicily. This investigation aims to ascertain whether the crew adhered to all necessary safety protocols.

Adding an international dimension to the investigative efforts, four inspectors from the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch have arrived in Sicily to conduct a preliminary assessment. Their findings could prove crucial in understanding the events that unfolded on that fateful Monday morning.

The incident has sent shockwaves through various circles, from the tech industry to high finance. Lord Deben, former UK cabinet minister and friend of Mike Lynch, offered poignant insights into the entrepreneur's state of mind prior to the tragedy. Speaking to Times Radio, Deben revealed that Lynch was on the cusp of a "new life" following his recent exoneration from fraud charges in the US related to the 2011 sale of his company, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard.

"He came back to be ready to start again," Deben shared, his voice tinged with emotion. "He made such a contribution to Britain. His companies have put British IT in the forefront, and he was going to do it again, and we pray that he can do it again."

The loss of the *Bayesian* and its passengers serves as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable power, even in the face of modern luxury and technology. As the search continues and investigations proceed, families, friends, and colleagues of those missing wait anxiously for news, hoping against hope for a miraculous outcome.

This tragedy has not only personal implications for those directly involved but also potentially far-reaching consequences for the tech and finance sectors, given the stature of some of the individuals on board. As the world watches and waits, the waters off Sicily hold secrets that investigators and rescue teams are working tirelessly to uncover.

In the coming days, as more information emerges, the full scope of this maritime disaster will likely come into sharper focus. For now, the international community remains united in hope for those still missing and in mourning for those already confirmed lost.