Italian Navy Divers Recover Crucial Evidence from Sunken Superyacht
Italian special forces have retrieved vital equipment from a sunken yacht off Sicily's coast. The recovery could shed light on the tragic incident that claimed seven lives, including a British tech mogul and his daughter.
Italian naval special forces have successfully recovered potentially crucial video equipment from the wreckage of the Bayesian superyacht, which sank off the Sicilian coast approximately one month ago. This development could provide vital insights into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
The sinking of the Bayesian resulted in seven fatalities, including Mike Lynch, a prominent British tech entrepreneur, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. The incident occurred on August 19, 2024, and has since been the subject of intense investigation.
The elite divers, members of COMSUBIN (Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori), Italy's equivalent to the UK's Special Boat Service, retrieved video surveillance systems, computers, and hard drives from the wreck. These items will be analyzed in specialized laboratories to potentially uncover crucial information about the yacht's final moments.
Investigators believe the Bayesian may have been struck by a meteorological phenomenon known as a downburst, which can exert force comparable to a small tornado. This theory aligns with the rapid sinking of the vessel, which reportedly occurred within 16 minutes of encountering the severe weather conditions.
"The recovered equipment, if intact, may help investigators determine the sequence of events on the night of the sinking."
The other victims of this tragedy included Recaldo Thomas, the Antiguan-Canadian chef, Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, his wife Judy Bloomer, Chris Morvillo, a Clifford Chance lawyer, and his wife Neda Morvillo. Fifteen individuals, including Lynch's wife, survived the incident and were rescued by a nearby yacht.
The bodies of the deceased have been repatriated to their respective countries via private jet, departing from Palermo airport. Post-mortem examinations were conducted in early September 2024.
The yacht's New Zealand skipper, James Cutfield, along with two British crew members, Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffiths, are currently under investigation for multiple manslaughter and causing a deadly shipwreck. It's important to note that under the Italian legal system, being placed under investigation does not imply guilt or guarantee that charges will be filed.
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities plan to raise the Bayesian from its current resting place, 165 feet below the surface, approximately half a mile off the coast of Porticello, a small Sicilian fishing town. This operation will allow for a more thorough examination of the vessel and may provide additional clues about the cause of the sinking.
The recovery of this crucial evidence marks a significant step forward in understanding the events that led to this tragic maritime disaster. As the investigation continues, it is hoped that the analysis of the recovered equipment will provide closure to the families affected by this devastating incident.
