A luxury superyacht carrying foreign tourists capsized and sank off the coast of Sicily in bad weather early Monday (Aug. 19). One body was recovered, six people are still missing and 15 people were rescued, including a 1-year-old girl, authorities said.
The boat capsized shortly before 5 a.m. off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, where it was anchored. It had a crew of 10 and 12 passengers, including British, American and Canadian nationals, the Italian coast guard said.
Local media said sudden, violent storms, including tornadoes over water known as waterspouts, had hit the region overnight, but skies were clear and seas calm on Monday morning.
The 56-meter British-flagged ship is famous for its 75-meter single mast, one of the tallest in the world. The aluminum mast will be seen glowing at night. Media reports said the mast was seen glowing just hours before it sank. Online rental sites say the ship can be rented for up to $215,000 (around 3.5 billion rupiah) per week.
One of the survivors, identified only as Charlotte, said she had lost her grip on her one-year-old daughter, Sofia, in the water but managed to grab her above the waves until a lifeboat was launched and they were both rescued, Italian news agency ANSA quoted the mother as saying.
Eight of the 15 people rescued and brought to shore at Porticello were hospitalized. One body was found near the sunken boat, but six others were still missing, said Luca Cari, a spokesman for Italy's emergency services.
Rescue crews found the vessel 50 meters (160 feet) deep off the coast of Porticello. Police deep-water divers were trying to access the hull, Cari said. The operation, visible from the shore, involved helicopters and rescue boats from the coast guard, fire rescue and civil protection services. (ab/lt)
