Sicily yacht tragedy: Tornado sinks luxury vessel; one dead, UK’s ‘Bill Gates’ among 6 missing

Six people went missing after a luxury yacht was struck by a tornado and sank near Sicily, resulting in one fatality among the 22 individuals on board.

When did the tornado hit the yacht?

According to a representative from Italy’s Coast Guard, the tornado hit the yacht around 5:00 AM (EDT) while it was anchored roughly half a mile from Porticello’s port on the Mediterranean island.

Who are the missing individuals?

Among those still unaccounted for are four British nationals and two Americans, the spokesperson confirmed. Tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is among the missing individuals following the sinking of a superyacht carrying 22 people off the coast of Sicily during a severe storm, according to the Guardian.

Lynch, 59, who was known as "Britain's Bill Gates,"is reported to be one of the four British citizens unaccounted for.

15 rescued, 1 dead

Fifteen people have been rescued so far, with one child being airlifted to a children's hospital in Palermo. In total, eight people have been hospitalised, as per the mayor’s office. The Coast Guard reported finding one body on the yacht’s hull.

The weather forecast had indicated the possibility of strong winds, with storms expected throughout southern Italy on Sunday, the Coast Guard spokesperson noted.

The 56-metre yacht, named the “Bayesian,” was flying under a British flag and carried mostly British passengers and crew, along with two Anglo-French individuals, one New Zealander, one Irish, and one Sri Lankan, as reported by the media.

Italian fire brigade divers reached the yacht's hull, which was 49 metres (160 feet) underwater, according to a press statement. Helicopters have also been deployed to assist in the search.

(With inputs from agencies)