Current:Home > StocksManslaughter probe announced in Sicily yacht wreck that killed 7 -WealthRoots Academy
Manslaughter probe announced in Sicily yacht wreck that killed 7
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:04:52
Italian authorities are opening an investigation into whether the sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian, which killed seven people including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, was manslaughter.
Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said Saturday that the investigation is not targeting specific individuals so far, but that it was "plausible" that the crimes of manslaughter or causing a shipwreck through negligence were committed.
The Bayesian went down off the port of Porticello, near Sicily's capital of Palermo, after an unexpected storm early Monday morning. Fifteen people, including Lynch's wife and the owner of the yacht Angela Bacares, were rescued from the water.
A frantic search of the water and the sunken vessel ultimately recovered the bodies of seven people over the next few days: Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah; lawyer Christopher Morvillo, an American, and his wife Neda Morvillo; Morgan Stanley executive Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer; and Recaldo Thomas, who was the ship's chef. Lynch had recently been acquitted in a fraud trial in the U.S.; Christopher Morvillo was one of his lawyers and Jonathan Bloomer served as a character witness on Lynch's behalf.
Investigation underway to find out how yacht sank
Investigators will pull the sunken ship from the sea bottom, where it is lying on its side about 160 feet down.
"It's in the interests of the owners and managers of the ship to salvage it," Cartosio said, adding that it's not out of the question for the investigation to shift to focus on a person.
The catastrophe has puzzled naval experts, who say the yacht should have withstood a storm of this magnitude. No other boats in the area reported damage from the storm.
Survivors, including the Bayesian's captain James Cutfield, have been questioned by authorities about what happened on the ship, but haven't yet spoken publicly. Cutfield was "extremely cooperative," Raffaele Cammarano, another prosecutor, said Saturday.
A maritime legal expert told USA TODAY the disaster could lead to lawsuits and possible criminal charges against Cutfield. Mitchell Stoller, a maritime expert witness and captain, said it was Cutfield's duty to monitor weather and prepare to maneuver the boat through rough waters instead of staying anchored. Italian authorities have said the Bayesian was likely anchored before the disaster. It's not clear if Cutfield has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf, and messages seeking comment to a Facebook profile appearing to belong to him went unreturned on Friday.
WHY DID THE BAYESIAN SINK?Investigators seek answers to why the luxury superyacht sank in storm
"Indescribable, unreasonable errors" by the crew, not issues with the boat's design, led to its sinking, Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini, told Reuters.
Cammarano said the passengers were likely asleep when the storm hit, which could be why several were unable to escape. The bodies of most were found on the left side of the boat, where they may have gone to try and find pockets of air as it sank, Girolamo Bentivoglio Fiandra of Palermo's Fire Brigade said.
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY; Reuters
veryGood! (43)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Major cases before the Supreme Court deal with transgender rights, guns, nuclear waste and vapes
- What is a detox? Here's why you may want to think twice before trying one.
- How Gigi Hadid, Brody Jenner, Erin Foster and Katharine McPhee Share the Same Family Tree
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- You may want to think twice before letting your dog jump in leaves this fall
- Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's NSFW Halloween Decorations Need to Be Seen to Be Believed
- Arizona voters will decide on establishing open primaries in elections
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Washington state fines paper mill $650,000 after an employee is killed
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Wounded California officer fatally shoots man during ‘unprovoked’ knife attack
- United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket completes second successful launch
- How many points did Bronny James score tonight? Lakers-Timberwolves preseason box score
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- How Gigi Hadid, Brody Jenner, Erin Foster and Katharine McPhee Share the Same Family Tree
- Mariah Carey talks American Music Awards performance, 30 years of 'All I Want for Christmas'
- LeBron James' Son Bronny James Dating This Celeb Couple's Daughter
Recommendation
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
These Fun Facts About Travis Kelce Are All Game Winners
Yoga business founder pleads guilty to tax charge in New York City
Ruby Franke's Daughter Slams Trash Lifetime Movie About Her Family
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Shaboozey Reveals How Mispronunciation of His Real Name Inspired His Stage Name
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart's new 10-year, $130 million deal: More contract details
What's in the new 'top-secret' Krabby Patty sauce? Wendy's keeping recipe 'closely guarded'