Divers recover the body of Hannah Lynch, 18, daughter of Mike Lynch, who went missing after yacht incident
Italian divers have found the body of 18-year-old Hannah Lynch, who was the only person missing after her father Mike Lynch’s luxury yacht sank near Sicily earlier this week.
The British-flagged yacht, named Bayesian, measured 184 feet in length and was carrying 22 people when it capsized and sank swiftly after being hit by a storm early on Monday morning, while anchored off the coast near Porticello, close to Palermo.
On Friday, divers located Hannah Lynch’s body, after five days of searching the submerged wreck, according to a senior source involved in the search efforts. The Italian Coast Guard confirmed the recovery to the Associated Press.
The wreck is situated 50 meters underwater and features narrow passageways. Rescue officials described the operation as “long and delicate,” involving over 400 personnel, including 28 divers with specialized training.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the bodies of the other five deceased individuals, including Mike Lynch, were recovered from the yacht. Among the deceased were Judy and Jonathan Bloomer, who was the non-executive chair of Morgan Stanley International, as well as Clifford Chance attorney Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo.
The onboard chef, Recaldo Thomas, was the only crew member who perished; his body was found near the wreck on Monday.
The official identification of the bodies and the autopsies are set to take place in Palermo.
“The Lynch family is heartbroken and in shock, but they are receiving support from close friends and relatives,” a family representative stated on Friday.
“Their thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. They wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Italian Coast Guard, emergency services, and all who assisted in the rescue efforts.”
“Their only request now is to have their privacy respected during this incredibly painful time.”
A judicial investigation has been initiated regarding the yacht’s sinking, leaving naval experts puzzled, as vessels like the Bayesian, crafted by the prestigious Italian yacht builder Perini, are expected to withstand storm conditions.
The yacht’s captain, James Cutfield, along with his eight surviving crew members and passengers, have been questioned by authorities but have remained silent about the incident. Prosecutors are scheduled to hold a press conference on Saturday.
Challenging Salvage Operation Ahead
Giovanni Costantino, the CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini, told Reuters that the yacht’s sinking stemmed from a series of “incomprehensible, unreasonable errors” by the crew, eliminating any possibility of faults in design or construction.
Retrieving the yacht from the sea, where it is currently lying on its side but seemingly undamaged, may provide insights into what transpired. However, this task is expected to be complex and expensive.
Nick Sloane, a South African engineer known for leading the salvage operation of the Costa Concordia in 2012, mentioned in interviews with Italian media on Friday that the operation could cost up to 15 million euros ($16.7 million).
According to him, the process of salvaging the yacht would require six to eight weeks, including preparatory steps, and must conclude by mid-October, though he did not explain why this timeframe is important.
He indicated that raising the yacht will proceed “very, very slowly,” which could take several days to complete.