- Five individuals discovered in submerged watercraft.
Following the wreck of the opulent yacht "Probability," situated off Sicily's Italian coast, the prospect of survivors is almost nonexistent. Divers discovered the remains of five out of the six vanished individuals on Wednesday, submerged approximately 50 meters beneath the vessel within its hull. This assemblage apparently includes Michael Lynch (59), a British tycoon, who planned to commemorate his court victory with a sailing adventure, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah.
Additionally, it was suspected that another individual was among the abandoned ship's passengers on the previous evening. The sinking's first casualty, the ship's chef, was discovered floating in the water on Monday. Consequently, six fatalities have been confirmed. The authorities remained tight-lipped about the victims' identities initially. Fortunately, 15 individuals managed to survive the catastrophe, which occurred only half a nautical mile (approximately 900 meters) from shore on Monday.
The sequence of events remains fuzzy. The ailing captain of the "Probability" was grilled for hours by the Italian police, who reportedly stated, "We didn't see it coming," though some question this account.
Searching for Victims
Records show the sunken vessel is tilted at an awkward angle on the seabed, complicating the rescue efforts. On Tuesday, specialized divers from the fire department were initially able to explore certain areas beneath the bridge before eventually gaining access to the lower deck's passenger cabins. A diving robot was also utilized.
The majestic vessel "Probability," spanning 56 meters, met its demise early Monday morning during an extreme storm near Porticello's port, close to the island's capital, Palermo - reportedly in approximately 60 seconds. Experts are still scratching their heads over how such a rapid descent occurred. Possible theories involve an open hatch permitting a colossal wave, or a miscommunication with the autopilot that led the ship to cut through the water with unfavorable draft.
The "Probability," having celebrated its 15th birthday in 2020, was the recipient of extensive renovations. The ship was outfitted with a device that could drastically lower its draft: Its keel depth was nearly ten meters under normal sailing conditions although the movable rudder was extended in full. This balancing act allowed it to counteract the forces generated by the 75-meter-tall mast. However, the draft could be reduced to approximately four meters - for instance, to navigate through narrow harbors.
British press often refers to Michael Lynch as the "British Bill Gates." The tech mogul sold his software company Autonomy to the American conglomerate, Hewlett-Packard, in 2011 for $11 billion (currently €9.94 billion) - one of Silicon Valley's most astonishing takeover fiascos.
Lynch and his late financial manager, Steve Chamberlain, were accused of misleading HP about the company's financial standing. However, a San Francisco jury exonerated both of the charges.
The Italian broadcasting company Radiotelevisione Italiana (Rai) was informed about the incident involving the "Probability," highlighting the sinking and the subsequent search for survivors. Due to the abundance of international interest, several news outlets worldwide covered the story, including Rai.
