Authorities investigating the sinking of a superyacht off the Sicilian coast that claimed the lives of seven people said a manslaughter probe has been launched in the case.
“We have opened a file against unknown persons with the hypothesis of negligent shipwreck manslaughter,” Ambrogio Cartosio, the chief prosecutor of the Sicilian town Termini Imerese, said Saturday at a press conference.
Cartosio added, “We are taking care to keep the investigation secret as this is the law.”
The prosecutor said the ship’s captain, who survived the sinking, is not currently detained but asked that he remain available in Sicily so the prosecutors can speak to him again.
Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco, the Italian Corps. of Firefighters arrive in Porticello harbor near Palermo, with the body of Mike Lynch at the back of the boat, on Aug. 22, 2024, three days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
Investigators also revealed that it’s believed the ship was hit by a downburst – a powerful wind system originating from a thunderstorm that can reach 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour — and not a waterspout, as authorities and some experts had previously thought.
The news conference came a day after the body of the last missing passenger — Hannah Lynch, the 18-year-old daughter of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch — was recovered Friday from the hull of the ship. The body of Mike Lynch, who owned the yacht, was recovered Thursday.
Divers of the Vigili del Fuoco, the Italian Corps. of Firefighters enter Porticello harbor near Palermo, with the body of the last missing person at the back of the boat, on Aug. 23, 2024, four days after the British-flagged luxury yacht Bayesian sank.
Alessandro Fucarini/AFP via Getty Images
The other victims, according to Italian news agency Adnkronos, are Jonathan Bloomer, the president of Morgan Stanley International; his wife Anne Elizabeth; American lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Nada, all found within the sunken yacht. The body of the yacht’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, was found on Monday morning underwater near the hull but not in it, according to authorities. An official list of the survivors and victims of the tragedy has not been released.
Divers conducted a difficult and dangerous recovery operation for five days in the yacht to locate and retrieve the missing passengers.
Fifteen people who had been onboard the yacht when the downburst struck — believed to be all members of the crew and the captain of the yacht plus five passengers — were rescued alive in the immediate aftermath of the sinking early Monday which occurred around half a mile from the fishing village of Porticello, close to the city of Palermo.
An investigation has been launched into the sinking of a superyacht off the coast of Florida, with authorities looking into the possibility of manslaughter charges being brought against those responsible for the tragic incident.
The luxury yacht, which was carrying a group of wealthy passengers on a pleasure cruise, went down in rough seas late last week, resulting in the deaths of several individuals on board. The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, but initial reports suggest that at least five people lost their lives in the accident.
The cause of the sinking is still under investigation, but early indications point to negligence on the part of the yacht’s crew as a contributing factor. It is believed that the vessel may have been operating in unsafe conditions, with the captain and crew failing to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their passengers.
In light of these findings, authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, with a focus on determining whether charges of manslaughter can be brought against those responsible for the tragedy. If it is found that the crew’s actions were reckless or negligent, they could potentially face serious criminal consequences for their role in the disaster.
The sinking of the superyacht has sent shockwaves through the maritime community, highlighting the importance of proper safety protocols and regulations for luxury vessels. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can arise when proper precautions are not taken, and the devastating consequences that can result from negligence at sea.
As the investigation into the sinking continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in the search for answers. The families of the victims are also seeking justice for their loved ones, and are hopeful that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
In the wake of this tragedy, there is a renewed focus on ensuring the safety of all passengers aboard luxury yachts and other vessels. It is essential that proper safety measures are in place to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future, and that those responsible for ensuring the well-being of their passengers are held to account for any lapses in judgment or negligence.
As the investigation into the sinking of the superyacht continues, authorities are working diligently to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident and bring justice to those who lost their lives. The outcome of this investigation will have far-reaching implications for the maritime industry, serving as a reminder of the importance of upholding safety standards and regulations at all times.
