close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

Last body, believed to be daughter of tech magnate, recovered from sunken superyacht in Sicily
news

Last body, believed to be daughter of tech magnate, recovered from sunken superyacht in Sicily

The body of Hannah Lynch, the 18-year-old daughter of British tech magnate Mike Lynch, has been recovered from the wreck of the Bayesian superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily this week.

A CNN crew on the scene watched divers bring the last body bag from a rescue boat into the Porticello harbor, ending a five-day search by Italian authorities for the victims of the shipwreck.

Because the wreck is nearly 50 meters underwater, divers had only 12 minutes to reach the site and explore the cabins before surfacing, making it difficult to bring the seven bodies to shore.

Stay up to date with the news with the 7NEWS app: download today Download Today

After six bodies were recovered from the wreckage over the past four days, Lynch’s was the last thing Italian authorities were looking for.

The body of her father, Mike Lynch, was recovered and identified on Thursday, an Italian Interior Ministry official told Reuters.

The British-flagged ship, carrying 22 passengers and crew, sank on Monday after its mast, one of the tallest in the world, snapped in half during a heavy storm.

Fifteen people were rescued on Monday and one body was recovered, believed to be that of chef Recaldo Thomas on board.

Italian fire brigade divers at the site of a shipwreck off the coast of SicilyItalian fire brigade divers at the site of a shipwreck off the coast of Sicily
The sixth and final body of the missing passengers of the sunken luxury yacht Bayesian has been found. (AP PHOTO) Credit: MONKEY

Six others were initially reported missing: Lynch and his daughter; Morgan Stanley International director Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer; and prominent US lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo.

After Hannah Lynch’s body was recovered, a spokesperson for the Lynch family said they were “devastated, in shock and are being comforted and supported by family and friends.”

“Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy. They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coastguard, emergency services and everyone who helped in the rescue operation. Their only request now is that their privacy is respected at this time of unspeakable sadness,” the spokesman said.

Divers bring body of shipwrecked man to Porticello, SicilyDivers bring body of shipwrecked man to Porticello, Sicily
Rescue teams on the scene. (AP PHOTO) Credit: MONKEY
Dr. Mike Lynch, COE Autonomy Group.Dr. Mike Lynch, COE Autonomy Group.
Dr. Mike Lynch, COE Autonomy Group. Credit: WPA swimming pool/Getty Images

Hannah Lynch was set to study English literature at Oxford University in the fall, her tutor said in a series of moving tributes she shared with CNN after her body was found.

“I have never taught anyone who combined towering intellectual prowess with warmth and enthusiasm like Hannah. She lit up the class with her energy, passion for learning and sheer intelligence,” said Jon Mitropoulos-Monk, head of English at Latymer Upper School in London, who taught Lynch for four years.

Katya Lewis, Lynch’s friend, said: “The love Hannah had for all that she held dear was passionate and pure. She had a warm and beautiful soul. Being with Hannah made me feel whole and happy. She is the most special friend anyone could ask for and I will always love Hannah.”

Lynch’s mother, Angela Bacares, survived the shipwreck and is being treated in a Sicilian hospital.

Looking for answers

Five days later, Italian authorities are still trying to determine how the 56-metre yacht sank so quickly.

Unverified security camera footage released on Wednesday appears to show the moment a waterspout – a tornado-like event that swept across Sicily early Monday morning – sank the ship.

A witness, the owner of a nearby villa, watched the spot where the Bayesian ship was anchored and later viewed his security camera footage, which showed the yacht sinking.

“In just 60 seconds you can see the ship disappear,” he told Italian newspaper ANSA. “You can see clearly what is happening. There was nothing that could be done for the ship. It disappeared in a very short time.”

However, the CEO of the company that owns the ship’s manufacturer has cited a series of avoidable “mistakes” that he says may have contributed to the ship’s sinking.

Giovanni Constantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, said that due to the bad weather forecast, the ship’s crew had to seal the hull, close all doors and hatches and gather guests at the ship’s assembly area.