Four Britons missing after yacht sinks off Sicily

Four Britons are missing after a yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, Italian media report.

The 50-metre-long ship, called the “Bayesian”, sank at around 5am in the stretch of sea off Porticello in the province of Palermo.

Reports said there were mainly British nationals on board and 15 people were rescued by coastguard patrol boats and firefighters, including a one-year-old child.

A search is underway for the seven missing people, including four Britons, one Canadian, two Americans and the ship’s cook.

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The restaurant BAIA Santa Nicolicchia in Porticello wrote on its Facebook page that the yacht sank around 4am after being caught in a hurricane.

They called it an “unbelievable tragedy,” adding that they were “at a loss for words.”

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The post read: “Last photo taken at 10pm. The yacht on the left sank at 4:05am, in the middle of the hurricane 300 metres from Porticello harbour, next to another sailboat that was providing rescue.

“It looks like there are 22 on board, but unfortunately seven are missing. They are still scared in the hull.

“Unbelievable tragedy tonight. I am at a loss for words.”

Aerial footage of the search has been posted on social media by Vigili del Fuoco, Italy’s fire and rescue service.

The message on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Shipwreck in Palermo off the coast of Porticello, 15 people rescued, seven reported missing.

“Firefighters and divers have been searching since sunrise. The wreck has been identified at a depth of 50 meters.”

According to local media, the Bayesian method was designed for luxury travel.

Tgcom24 described the yacht as an “elegant 56 metre sailing boat” weighing 473 tonnes. It was said to be flying the UK flag when it sank.

According to the online newspaper, the ship was built in February 2008 by the Perini Navi Viareggio shipyard and renovated in 2020.

The boat had arrived in Porticello after a stopover in Milazzo and a passage to Cefalù, Tgcom24 reported.

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