Sicilian prosecutors have re-interrogated the captain of the superyacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Palermo during a tornado that killed seven people, including British billionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter.
The 56-meter-long Bayesian, sailing under the British flag, sank in a roadstead near Palermo, Sicily, on Monday, August 19, within minutes of a tornado.
The services rescued 15 of the 22 people. Seven died. Among them was Mike Lynch and the billionaire's daughter. On Monday, they were fished out cook's bodyon Wednesday businessman and his daughter. Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, is among those rescued.
Investigation into sinking of billionaire's yacht
New Zealand captain James Cutfield has given testimony for the second time in the almost week since the disaster about whether the yacht's hatches were closed, Italian media reported.
Mike LynchReuters
READ THE STORY OF ONE OF THE SURVIVORS: “I called for help, but all I heard around me were screams”
This aspect, it is noted, is particularly important also in view of the fact that the 56-meter-long unit, which sank so quickly, was considered unsinkable. Its designers assured that it could sink only if tons of water got into it.
Therefore, there were speculations that the side hatch might have been left open while the yacht was in the roadstead at night.
In addition, as Ansa notes, investigators want to determine the whereabouts of all those on board at the time of the disaster, that is, how it was possible that of the 10 crew members only one died, and of the 12 passengers – half.
The agency reports that a key question is being asked: was the crew already on the upper deck aware of the storm and did not alert those sleeping in the cabins?
Hannah Lynch – the billionaire's daughter – in a photo shared by her familyEPA
Prosecutor's Office an investigation is underway into a maritime disaster and unintentional death many people. However, no charges were brought against anyone.
Services at the site of a yacht sinking in SicilyEPA/IGOR PETYX
Nine crew members are staying in a hotel in Palermo, off-limits to journalists. Several survivors have already left, including Angela Barcares, the wife of billionaire Mike Lynch and the mother of his daughter Hannah, who died. The victims also include Morgan Stanley International CEO Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Lynch's lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife.
Sinking of the yacht “Bayesian”PAP/EPA/IGOR PETYX
Main image source: THE FUTURE'S VICTORIALS via ANSA