Luxury Yacht Capsizes Off Sicily’s Coast, Leaving One Dead and Six Missing
A tragic maritime incident unfolded off the coast of Sicily, Italy, as a luxury yacht, the “My Saga,” capsized amidst turbulent weather conditions. The vessel, a 56-meter beauty built in 2008 by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi, was carrying a crew of 10 and 12 passengers when disaster struck in the early hours of Monday morning.
Italian authorities have confirmed the recovery of one body, while six individuals remain unaccounted for. Fifteen survivors were pulled from the water and brought ashore in Porticello, with eight requiring hospitalization, including a one-year-old child.
The “My Saga,” sailing under the British flag, was last tracked east of Palermo on Sunday evening, where it was anchored offshore. Local media reports suggest that a violent storm swept through the area during the night, although by Monday morning, the weather had cleared, and the sea was calm. It is believed that a waterspout, a powerful and unpredictable column of cloud-filled wind and water, may have struck the vessel, causing it to capsize.
Waterspouts, sometimes referred to as “tornadoes over water,” pose a significant threat to marine vessels due to the intense currents they generate. The sudden impact of such a force could easily overturn even a large yacht like the ”My Saga.”
A full-scale search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving helicopters and boats from the Coast Guard, as well as personnel from the Carabinieri, fire department, and civil protection agency. Specialized deep-sea divers were deployed to the wreck site, located at a depth of 50 meters, in an attempt to access the yacht’s hull and search for survivors.
The nationalities of those missing include four British citizens, two Americans, and one Canadian. The Associated Press reported that the missing individuals consist of one crew member and six passengers.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea, even in seemingly calm conditions. The investigation into the exact cause of the capsizing is ongoing.
