Authorities in Italy are investigating whether a freak weather
phenomenon caused a British-owned super yacht to capsize and sink with
the loss of life.
The fishing village of Porticito in Sicily was battered by a sudden
and fierce storm around 5am on Monday with witnesses claiming a
“tornado-like cloud” engulfed the British-flagged, 56-metre Bayesian.
A sudden change in weather in Italy - from weeks of scorching heat to
a cooler change - brought warnings of severe storm activity in the
Porticito area, including waterspouts - a ferocious column of rotating
air and mist, often accompanied by high winds and seas.
Fifteen people managed to escape the stricken boat. One man, the
yacht's chef, has been confirmed dead, while the search continues for
six others who remain missing, include UK legal and banking executives.