Fifth body found inside Sicilian yacht wreck

Italian authorities have confirmed the discovery of five bodies from the wreckage of the British-flagged yacht Bayesian.

The yacht sank off the coast of Sicily early Monday during a severe storm.

Sicily’s civil protection agency reported that two more bodies were found Wednesday inside the sunken vessel, bringing the total number of recovered victims to five. Four of the bodies have been brought ashore by specialist dive teams, while one remains inside the wreck.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed. One passenger from the yacht is still missing as search efforts continue, hampered by the depth of the wreck and debris obstructing divers.

The tragedy unfolded when a sudden storm, accompanied by a waterspout, struck the area where the 56-meter Bayesian was moored near Porticello, outside Palermo. The yacht had 22 people aboard, including 10 crew members and 12 passengers.

Among the people initially reported missing were British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his wife, Hannah Lynch, along with Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, and Chris and Neda Morvillo.

The first confirmed victim, the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was found on Monday.

The families of the victims are being informed by Italian officials before any further information is released to the public. The search operation, now entering its fourth day, continues as authorities work to locate the remaining missing passenger.