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CCTV shows Bayesian superyacht engulfed in storm moments before it sank

20 August 2024, 18:45 | Updated: 21 August 2024, 10:41

CCTV footage showing the moment just before a British superyacht sank has emerged.

The footage was recorded by a camera close to where the luxury vessel sank off the coast of Sicily early on Monday morning.

A witness said they saw the vessel go down in 60 seconds, with the Italian news agency ANSA quoting them as saying: "You can clearly see what is happening. There was nothing that could be done for the vessel. It disappeared in a very short time."

Superyacht sinks: Follow latest

The body of the vessel's Canadian-Antiguan chef, Recaldo Thomas, has been found, the Italian Coastguard says.

Six people are still missing, including the yacht's owner, British tech tycoon, Mike Lynch, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, is among the 15 people who were rescued.

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The search also continues for Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, Chris Morvillo, a lawyer at major firm Clifford Chance, and both of their wives - Judy Bloomer and Neda Morvillo.

A huge search operation is ongoing, with multiple parties involved, including the coastguard and the fire service, while cave divers and helicopters have also been called in.

Nick Sloane, an engineer who led the salvage operation for the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia in 2013, said earlier today rescue divers looking for survivors have entered a "critical" 24 hours - with some possibly trapped in air pockets inside the ship - but he added that time is running out to save them if that is the case.

Dr Jean-Baptiste Souppez, senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at Aston University, has said the speed at which the vessel sank (a few minutes, according to accounts) and the fact that it remains intact "could favour the formation of small air pockets inside".