Tragically, one individual has died and six others are missing following the sinking of a luxury yacht on Monday near Palermo, Sicily, due to a sudden storm, as reported by Italy’s coast guard.

The yacht, named Bayesian, is a British-registered vessel measuring 184 feet long. It capsized just before dawn, leaving its 22 passengers in peril, according to the coast guard’s statement. The missing individuals are from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Out of the 15 passengers who were rescued, eight were admitted to a local hospital, where they are reportedly in stable condition. Among those saved was a one-year-old child.

The U.K Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office conveyed in an email sent to YSL News, “We are offering consular assistance to several British citizens and their families following the incident in Sicily and are coordinating with local authorities.”

What led to the sinking of the Bayesian?

The yacht sank due to sudden severe storms that had recently caused heavy rain, leading to flooding and landslides in various regions.

Among the missing is Mike Lynch, a British tech entrepreneur, as per a source familiar with the rescue efforts who spoke to Reuters.

According to the captain of a nearby vessel, his crew rescued several survivors from a life raft, including three individuals who sustained serious injuries.

“Once the storm had passed, we noticed that the boat behind us had vanished,” said Karsten Borner, the captain. He added, “The yacht seemed to lie flat on the water before it sank.”

He reported that “a small child and the yacht owner’s wife” were among those rescued, while the owner and a child remained unaccounted for.

The yacht rests 160 feet below the surface, with divers sent down to examine the wreck, according to the coast guard.

On Monday morning, a helicopter and four coast guard vessels were dispatched to the site, reported the New York Times.

Bayesian began its journey along the Amalfi Coast in July

Local prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the yacht.

The Bayesian departed from Positano, a town on the Amalfi Coast, heading toward Palermo on July 30, as reported by marinetraffic.com. Its last docking was in Milazzo, Messina, on Wednesday, according to VesselFinder.

Perini Navi, the yacht’s manufacturer, states that it features the tallest aluminum mast globally and was constructed in 2008.