In a tragic maritime incident off the Italian coast, specialized cave divers are conducting an intensive search for Hannah Lynch, the 18-year-old daughter of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch. The operation follows the sinking of the superyacht Bayesian on August 19, 2024, which has left the young woman as the sole unaccounted individual.
The disaster has claimed multiple lives, with authorities recovering five bodies from the wreckage. Among the presumed deceased are Jonathan Bloomer, Chairman of Morgan Stanley International, his wife Judy, and Chris Morvillo, a lawyer at Clifford Chance, along with his spouse Neda. Mike Lynch's body is believed to be among those retrieved.
Massimo Mariani, an interior ministry official, stated that Hannah might still be inside the vessel, which now rests 165 feet underwater, or could have been ejected into the sea during the sinking. The Italian Coast Guard, responsible for maritime search and rescue operations in Italian waters, successfully rescued 15 passengers in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Hannah Lynch had recently received her A-level results and secured a place at the University of Oxford, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities, to study English. She was a scholar at Latymer Upper School in West London, known for her academic achievements and regular prize-winning performances.
"We are all incredibly shocked by the news that Hannah and her father are among those missing in this tragic incident and our thoughts are with their family and everyone involved as we await further updates."
The Lynch family had strong ties to Latymer Upper School, with Mike and his wife Angela being frequent donors to the school's bursary fund, which provides financial assistance to students unable to afford full tuition fees.
Prosecutors in Termini Imerese, a Sicilian town known for its ancient thermal baths, have initiated an investigation into the disaster. They aim to determine the cause of the sinking and assess potential criminal liability. The inquiry is expected to focus on the yacht's keel, which was found "partially elevated," and whether the crew had properly secured access hatches before the incident.
Interestingly, the Bayesian, a 56-meter Perini Navi yacht valued at £30 million, had been put up for sale by Mike Lynch in March 2024. However, he withdrew it from the market in July, shortly after his acquittal in a high-profile San Francisco fraud case. Sources indicate that Lynch had planned to spend the summer aboard the vessel before reconsidering its sale in autumn.
As the search continues, the incident highlights the potential dangers of luxury seafaring, even with advanced maritime technology. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea and the importance of stringent safety measures in maritime activities.