Death toll rises to 3 in Italian yacht sinking as two more bodies recovered

By Merve Berker

The bodies of two more people were recovered on Wednesday, raising the death toll to three from a yacht sinking off the southern Italian coast. The search continues for four others who remain missing, with hopes of their survival fading.

The 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged superyacht, named Bayesian, capsized on Monday morning due to heavy rains and stormy weather about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) east of Palermo in southern Italy. While 15 people were rescued, six others went missing.

Among the deceased is Recaldo Thomas, the yacht’s chef, whose body was found just hours after the vessel sank. On Wednesday, local media reported that two more bodies were recovered, although their identities have yet to be confirmed.

Rescue teams continue their search for the remaining four missing individuals as the operation enters its third day.

Mike Lynch, a 59-year-old tech entrepreneur and billionaire who owns the vessel, and his 18-year-old daughter are among the missing. Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, was among those rescued.

The people on board the yacht hailed from various countries, including the UK, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, France, Ireland, the US, and Canada.