The search for six missing tourists is set to resume this morning after the Bayesian luxury yacht was sunk by intense storms off the coast of Palermo yesterday.
Italy’s fire brigade Vigili del Fuoco said on X that early inspections of the wreck were “unsuccessful” due to limited access to the bridge and furniture obstructing passages.
The British government’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch said four of its inspectors were being deployed to Palermo.
A basic assessment of the scene will be made by the team, with no investigation launched at this stage, the PA news agency understands.
Searches are due to resume later this morning.
The British-flagged vessel capsized at about 5am local time on Monday morning when the area was hit by a tornado.
Fabio Cefalu, a fisherman who witnessed the freak storm, told Italian media he stayed on site for several hours.
“After 10 minutes we saw a flare in the sky, we waited about 10 minutes to see the intensity of the tornado and we went out to sea,” he said.
“We were first to give rescue but we found no one at sea, we only found cushions and the remains of the boat.”
Karsten Borner, captain of a nearby boat, said his crew took on board some survivors who were on a life raft, including three who were seriously injured.
He added: “I think they are inside, all the missing people.”
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Sicily and stand ready to provide consular support to British nationals affected.”
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