Italian authorities are launching an investigation into the sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch. The investigation is looking into whether the incident could be considered manslaughter or causing a shipwreck through negligence. Among the victims were Lynch’s daughter, his lawyers, and other esteemed individuals. The yacht went down during an unexpected storm near Sicily’s capital, Palermo, with 15 people being rescued from the water.
Naval experts are puzzled by the sinking, as the yacht should have been able to withstand the storm. Survivors, including the captain, have been questioned by authorities. The disaster could lead to lawsuits and possible criminal charges against the captain for failing to navigate through rough waters. The CEO of the company that owns the yacht believes that crew errors, not design issues, led to the sinking.
Investigators are trying to determine why the yacht sank, considering the crew’s possible mistakes and the passengers likely being asleep during the storm. Most of the bodies were found on one side of the boat, indicating they may have been searching for pockets of air as the vessel sank. The sunken ship will be raised from the sea bottom for further investigation. The focus of the probe may shift towards individual responsibility as more details emerge.
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