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British technology mogul Mike Lynch is among six people missing after the luxury yacht Bayesian capsized in severe weather off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident has already claimed one life.
Lynch, former CEO of software firm AUTONOMY, was aboard the 56-meter yacht with 21 others, including his wife Angela Bacares, who was rescued along with 14 others. The vessel capsized around 5 a.m. during a tornado near Palermo, Sicily’s capital, and is now submerged approximately 50 meters underwater.
Italian authorities, including the fire and rescue services and coast guard, have confirmed that the body of a man, identified as the yacht’s cook, was recovered earlier today. The missing individuals include Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and the yacht’s chef, Ricardo Thomas.
Salvatore Cocina, head of Sicily’s civil protection agency, stated that the rescue operation would continue overnight with the assistance of a specialist diving team from Rome. Cocina expressed hope that “results” could be achieved by tomorrow morning.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office confirmed they are providing consular support to the British nationals involved in the incident and are in contact with local authorities.
Lynch, 59, is widely recognized for his contributions to the tech industry, earning the nickname “Britain’s Bill Gates” after co-founding AUTONOMY and growing it into the UK’s largest software company. His presence on the yacht came just two months after he was acquitted in the U.S. of all 15 charges of fraud linked to the $11.1 billion sale of AUTONOMY to HEWLETT-PACKARD (HP) in 2011. Despite his acquittal, Lynch had previously been embroiled in legal battles, including a six-year civil fraud suit that HP won in 2022.
The Bayesian, launched in 2008 by Italian yacht builders Perini Navi, is renowned for its luxury and advanced design. The tornado that struck the yacht is believed to have developed from a severe storm that hit the area overnight. According to Salvo Cocina from Sicily’s civil protection agency, the Bayesian was “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” while another superyacht nearby was less affected and helped rescue some of the survivors.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over Lynch’s recent legal victories and ongoing contributions to the tech world, marking a devastating turn in the life of one of Britain’s most influential entrepreneurs. As search efforts continue, the focus remains on locating the missing individuals and understanding the full extent of the disaster.
