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UK Tycoon Mike Lynch, Daughter, and Chef Among Missing After Yacht Sinks in Sicily
British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and their chef Ricardo Thomas are among the six people still missing after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of the morning when the yacht, carrying 22 passengers, was struck by a violent storm near the harbour at Porticello, east of Palermo.
The Italian coastguard has launched an extensive search and rescue operation involving specialist divers, helicopters, and patrol boats in an effort to locate the missing individuals. One man has been confirmed dead, while several others, including Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares, have survived the disaster.
Witnesses reported that the yacht, a 56-meter (184-foot) vessel, was anchored to the seabed when the storm hit with such force that the 72-meter (236-foot) aluminium mast snapped in half, causing the boat to become unbalanced and eventually sink. The yacht disappeared beneath the water around 5:00 AM local time.
One of the survivors, British passenger Charlotte Golunski, shared her harrowing experience of keeping her one-year-old daughter alive by holding her up in the water until they managed to get onto a lifeboat. Along with British citizens, the passengers aboard the yacht were reportedly from several other countries, including the US, Canada, Sri Lanka, and Ireland.
Local fisherman and witnesses described the storm as exceptionally powerful, with some mentioning a waterspout—a tornado-like phenomenon over water—as a possible cause of the catastrophic event.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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