A Sicily sailboat mishap off the coast of Palermo has left one dead and about six people missing. Rescuers found a lifeless body and are searching for at least six castaways, AFP reports.
According to the report by AFP, six people are said to be missing from the Sicily sailboat mishap, Italian news agency Ansa reported on Monday, August 19.
The Sicily sailboat mishap left at least one person dead. “A body was spotted in the wreck, but has not yet been recovered, at a depth of around 50 metres,” a coastguard spokesman told AFP.
The British-flagged Bayesian sank after being hit by a waterspout. It was carrying 22 people, 15 of whom were rescued by the coastguard and firefighters.
Of the 22 people on board, including 10 crew members, “15 people were rescued and 7 are missing (one crew member and six passengers), of British, American and Canadian nationality,” the Italian coastguard initially said in a statement, specifying to AFP that four missing people were of British nationality, two of American nationality and one Canadian.
59 meters deep
According to the Italian press agency, the hull sank to a depth of 59 meters. Firefighter divers pulled out a one-year-old baby who was taken to the children’s hospital in Palermo.
Eight other survivors were taken to local hospitals.
Several rescue helicopters are currently flying over the area. An investigation has been opened, under the coordination of the Termini Imerese Judicial Authority. In the coming hours, the survivors, including the captain of the boat, will be questioned.
The Bayesian , a 56-metre-long luxury sailing ship, was moored in the port of Porticello and set sail on Sunday evening.