The search continued for six individuals after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily during a celebration for British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch following his acquittal of fraud and conspiracy charges in the U.S. The yacht, named Bayesian, capsized and sank after being struck by a small tornado called a waterspout. The vessel was carrying 22 individuals and sank about 164 feet into the depths. Authorities believe that those missing are likely trapped inside the boat’s below-deck cabins, with scuba divers unable to access these rooms due to furniture blocking the way.
Among the missing individuals are Lynch’s U.S. attorney and a banking chairman who testified in his defense during the trial. Survivors reported that the cruise had been organized by Lynch for his work colleagues. Lynch, the former chief executive of software company Autonomy, had been accused of defrauding Hewlett Packard before being acquitted. Lynch was on the yacht with his wife and daughter, while his co-defendant in the trial, Stephen Chamberlain, tragically died in a car accident shortly before the incident. Other missing individuals on the yacht include Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, Chris and Neda Morvillo, and Lynch’s daughter, Hannah.
Jonathan Bloomer, chairman at Morgan Stanley International and the former head of the Autonomy audit committee, was on the yacht with his wife, Judy, who worked as a psychotherapist. Chris Morvillo, one of Lynch’s defense attorneys, was on the vessel with his wife, Neda Morvillo, who is a jeweler designer. The missing individuals on the yacht have been described by their colleagues and loved ones as dedicated professionals and family-oriented individuals. The tragic incident has deeply saddened those connected to them, with search and rescue efforts ongoing as authorities try to access the cabins where the missing individuals are believed to be trapped.
The tragedy has had a significant impact on Lynch, who had just been acquitted of serious charges and was looking forward to returning to his family and his work after the trial. Lynch expressed his gratitude at being able to spend time with his family, and it is a stark contrast that the celebration on the yacht ended in such a devastating manner. The missing individuals are remembered by their colleagues and loved ones for their dedication, professionalism, and the love they shared with their families. As the search efforts continue, the hope remains that the missing individuals will be found and brought back to their families safely.
