Search operations resumed on Wednesday for the third day following the sinking of a luxury yacht off Sicily. Hope is fading for the six missing passengers as divers and underwater drones continue their efforts.
The 56-meter British-flagged “Bayesian” sank early Monday morning after being struck by a waterspout. The yacht, which had 10 crew members and 12 passengers aboard, is now resting 50 meters below the seabed.
Divers’ Challenging Recovery Efforts
Divers have entered the yacht by breaking a window. They are focusing on accessing two cabins where they believe the missing passengers may be trapped. The recovery mission has been challenging due to narrow corridors and floating debris.
Sicily’s Firefighter spokesman Luca Cari reported that divers have reached the yacht’s lounge area. They are working with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to aid in the search.
Robotic Assistance in the Search
The Italian coast guard has deployed a robot capable of operating at depths of up to 300 meters. This ROV can function for six to seven hours and provides detailed images and videos of the wreck. It aims to assist in reconstructing the accident’s dynamics.
Concerns Over the Yacht’s Condition
Despite reports that the yacht’s 75-meter mast survived the incident, eyewitnesses had initially suggested it had snapped. The yacht’s largely intact structure might provide potential air pockets where rescuers could find survivors.
Italian authorities are investigating whether open hatches contributed to the yacht’s sinking. The focus has now shifted to recovering the missing passengers, with the hope of finding any remaining survivors fading.
The yacht’s passengers included UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his teenage daughter Hannah, along with other notable individuals. They were celebrating Lynch’s recent acquittal in a high-profile fraud case in the US.
The search and recovery mission continue as authorities remain hopeful for a resolution.
