Local media said a severe storm, including plumes of water, battered the area overnight.
A luxury yacht believed to be carrying British passengers sank off the coast of Sicily due to bad weather, authorities said.
Fifteen people have been rescued from the 55-metre sailing vessel, but a further seven are still missing, the area’s mayor said.
Local media said a severe storm, including plumes of water, battered the area overnight.
#PalermoNaufragio Invalcazione Davanti alla Costa di Porticello, 15 rescued, 7 dispersed: Dalalba #Somotzatori Day #Bigilidelfuoco Impegnati nelle ricerce. A personal experience of 50 metres and a comfortable space. [#19agosto 10:00] pic.twitter.com/IJGP2aRRWB
— Vigili Del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) August 19, 2024
The superyacht, named the Baysian, capsized off the coast of Palermo at around 5am, according to the Associated Press, and was flying a British flag, according to ship-tracking website Marine Traffic.
The daily newspaper Il Giornale di Sicilia reported that the yacht was carrying mostly British passengers, but also people from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Britain-French.
“A foreign ship sank this morning due to bad weather off the coast of Santa Flavia, 15 people have been rescued and seven are still missing,” said Filippo Tripoli, mayor of the Sicily city of Bagheria.
“All police forces and emergency services are already active and Red Cross volunteers are also on scene.”