At least seven people are missing after a 160-foot yacht with 22 people on board sank off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of this morning, Italian media reported.
Fifteen people, including a one-year-old child, were rescued by coast guard patrol boats and firefighters.
The passengers were mainly British, the outlet said. The everyday factwhile on board were also citizens of New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland and two citizens with dual British and French nationality.
The group was believed to be tourists on holiday in Sicily and the ship was believed to be sailing under a British flag.
The boat is believed to have taken on water after a tornado hit the area off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, at around 5 a.m.
A local Facebook group shared a photo of the yacht (left) anchored last night. The boat has been named Bayesian and is said to sail under a British flag.
Expert divers have already submerged to reach the hull, 49 metres underwater and about half a mile from the coast, according to Italian media.
The rescued baby was reportedly taken to the Palermo Children’s Hospital, where he arrived accompanied by his mother.
Both are said to be fine, the mother only suffered minor injuries and the child is undergoing tests as a precaution.
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