A fifth body has been brought to shore from the wreck of the 'Bayesian' superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily earlier this week. Divers are still searching for the last missing person after four bodies were recovered on Wednesday.
The CEO of the vessel's manufacturer, The Italian Sea Group, has insisted that the yacht was fundamentally safe. Giovanni Costantino stated that sailing ships are known to be the safest due to their design features.
The British-flagged 'Bayesian' sank after its mast broke in half during a violent storm, resulting in the rapid sinking of the vessel carrying 22 people. Fifteen individuals were rescued, one body was recovered, and six others were reported missing, including prominent figures like Mike Lynch and his daughter, Hannah Lynch.
Italian authorities are withholding the names of the deceased until formal identifications are made by a person close to the deceased or confirmed by the prosecutor's office, as the sinking is under criminal investigation.
Emergency crews have faced challenging conditions in entering the wreck, which lies approximately 50 meters underwater. Initial reports suggest a waterspout may have played a role in the yacht's sinking.
Italian authorities and the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch are investigating the incident. Waterspouts, rare in Sicily, are spinning columns of air that can cause high winds and dangerous conditions.
Costantino emphasized that there was no indication of design or construction faults in the yacht's sinking. Security camera footage shows the yacht being battered by the storm before capsizing in a matter of seconds.
Witnesses described the tragic event, with one stating that the ship disappeared in just 60 seconds, leaving no chance for rescue.