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Mike Lynch, one of the UK’s best-known tech entrepreneurs, is among those missing after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, according to people familiar with the matter.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, had been rescued, this person said. Several people are missing after the 56m yacht, the Bayesian, sank in bad weather.

Camper and Nicholsons, managers of the Bayesian, said the yacht “encountered severe weather and subsequently sank” near Palermo in the early hours of Monday morning.

There were 12 guests and 10 crew on board, of whom 15 have been rescued by the Italian coast guard. According to the local fire department, one body has been recovered, while six people remain missing.

This picture taken at around 20.00gmt on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, shows the UK’s vessel Bayesan, left, and the Duch sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell at anchor off the Sicilian village of Porticello
The Bayesian, left, pictured at anchor off the village of Porticello on Sunday evening © Fabio La Bianca/Baia Santa Nicolicchia/AP

Lynch, the former chief executive of Autonomy, was acquitted of criminal charges by a jury in San Francisco in June, vindicating the 59-year-old entrepreneur after a 12-year legal battle over the software group’s $11bn sale to Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

A spokesperson for Lynch declined to comment.

The Italian coastguard said on Monday that the Bayesian sank to a depth of approximately 50 metres.

The 15 people rescued were of British, American and Canadian nationalities. Eight were transferred to local hospitals.

This is a developing story

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