Tech billionaire’s yacht sinks off Italy, daughter and others missing
Yacht sinks off Italy; billionaire's daughter and others missing
Friends of 18-year-old Hannah Lynch are anxiously awaiting news of her safe return after she went missing with her tech billionaire father when their superyacht sank. The luxury yacht Bayesian was docked off Porticello, near Palermo, Italy, when a waterspout struck around 5am on Monday, causing the yacht to sink rapidly.
Fifteen out of 22 people on board were rescued by nearby ships, but the yacht’s chef died. Hannah and her father Mike Lynch, along with four others, are still missing. Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, west London, expressed shock at the news. Hannah, a former pupil, was set to study English at Oxford after finishing her A-Levels.
A spokesperson for the £25,000-a-year school said: “We are all incredibly shocked by the news that Hannah and her father are among those missing in this tragic incident and our thoughts are with their family and everyone involved as we await further updates.” Hannah’s mother, Angela Bacares, survived but is now in a wheelchair due to her injuries. Hannah had excelled academically and won several awards at school, including the William C Smith award for poetry.
Schoolmates of missing Hannah Lynch, 18, desperate for 'updates' https://t.co/YSwfpyycAn via @MailOnline #Bayesian sinking
— veronica caminos (@caminosver) August 20, 2024
Mike and Angela Lynch were also significant donors to the school’s bursary fund in recent years. The yacht, carrying 10 crew members and 12 passengers, was moored 300 metres from the coast when the waterspout hit. The ship’s captain reported that they were caught off guard.
The violent winds flipped the yacht rapidly, forcing those on board to swim for their lives in pitch-black water amid the storm. A maritime expert suggested that the boat should have withstood the 100mph winds, raising questions about the sinking. Search teams found the body of the yacht’s chef, and there are fears more bodies may be discovered by divers. Some survivors, including the captain, are hospitalised.
Mike Lynch, previously dubbed the British Bill Gates and worth £852 million, was on the trip after being acquitted of fraud charges. The tragedy struck during a celebratory trip with family and friends. In a twist, the sinking occurred days after Stephen Chamberlain, a former colleague of Lynch, was fatally injured by a car while running. Police ruled out foul play in Chamberlain’s death.
Among the missing are Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, and their wives. Morvillo had represented Lynch in his legal case. Survivors reported seeing bodies through portholes, but divers have been unable to enter due to obstructive furniture.
Other survivors include Clifford Chance lawyer Ayla Ronald and on-board hostess Leah Randall. Leah’s mother expressed relief but acknowledged the heartache for those who lost loved ones. Additional survivors were Sasha Murray from Ireland, Matthew Fletcher from London, James Calfield from New Zealand, Myin Htun Kyaw from Myanmar, and French Captain Matthew Griffith.
James Calfield, speaking from a hospital near Palermo, said, “We didn’t see it coming.” Rescuers noted that survivors described the yacht sinking in two minutes and suggested it wasn’t anchored safely. Karsten Borner, captain of a nearby sailing ship, stated his crew struggled to keep their boat afloat during the storm.
Fisherman Fabio Cefalu witnessed the waterspout and saw a red flare from Bayesian around 4.10am. By the time he reached the area 20 minutes later, the yacht had disappeared, leaving only debris. Other survivors identified include on-board hostess Katya Chicken from Germany and Leo Eppel. Coastguard officials have interviewed Katya about the incident. On Tuesday evening, Tus Koopmans and Eaton Parker were also named as survivors.
Other Perspective
- The Guardian reports that a luxury yacht carrying 22 individuals, including tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, sank off the Sicilian coast during a storm, leaving one dead and six missing. The yacht, Bayesian, was struck by a tornado, and rescue efforts are ongoing.(read more)
- PBS NewsHour‘s coverage of the superyacht sinking in Sicily focuses on the missing tech magnate Mike Lynch, celebrating his recent acquittal, and the storm that caused the ship to sink, killing one and leaving six missing.(read more)
- The Daily Beast reports Morgan Stanley International Bank chair Jonathan Bloomer is missing after a yacht carrying tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch sank in Italy, sparking a search and rescue operation.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Hannah Lynch?
Hannah Lynch is an 18-year-old who went missing after her father’s superyacht sank off the coast of Porticello, Italy.
What caused the yacht to sink?
A waterspout, a type of mini-tornado, hit the area and wrecked the yacht, causing it to rapidly sink.
How many people were on board the yacht?
There were 22 people on board the yacht; 15 were rescued, one died, and six are still missing.
What school did Hannah Lynch attend?
Hannah Lynch attended Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, west London.
Who are some of the other missing individuals?
Other missing individuals include Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer and Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo.
