Rescue operations are underway off the coast of Sicily as six people, including British tech mogul Mike Lynch, remain missing after a luxury yacht was struck by a tornado and sank early Monday morning. The tragic incident resulted in one fatality among the 22 passengers on board.

The yacht, anchored about half a mile from Porticello, was hit by a waterspout at approximately 5 a.m., according to Italy’s Coast Guard. Among the missing are four Britons and two Americans. Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, was rescued, while 15 others were also saved from the wreckage. Eight survivors have been hospitalized, and a child was airlifted to Palermo for treatment. Sadly, one body was recovered from the yacht’s hull.

Severe weather had been forecasted across southern Italy, with Sicily experiencing strong storms and torrential rainfall the night before. Survivor Charlotte, 35, recounted the terrifying moments as she clung to her one-year-old daughter amid the storm’s fury. The yacht, named “Bayesian,” was carrying mostly British passengers, along with a few from other nationalities, including French, New Zealander, Irish, and Sri Lankan.

The Italian Coast Guard, along with fire brigade divers and helicopters, are continuing their search efforts. The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch is sending a team to assess the situation in Palermo.

Mike Lynch, the missing British entrepreneur, has been a prominent figure in the tech world, known for founding the software giant Autonomy. Despite recent legal challenges, Lynch remains a key figure in the industry. His disappearance has added a tragic note to an already devastating incident