The body of 18-year-old Hannah Lynch, daughter of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, has been recovered five days after a tragic yacht sinking off the coast of Sicily. The superyacht, which capsized during a storm on August 19, has claimed multiple lives, including that of Mike Lynch himself. The retrieval of Hannah’s body marks the final recovery in a tragedy that has shocked the international community.
The Italian Sea Group, the manufacturer of the superyacht, has come under scrutiny as details of the incident emerge. Giovanni Costantino, the CEO of The Italian Sea Group, has publicly criticized the crew, calling their actions an “incredible mistake.” According to Costantino, the crew failed to adequately prepare for the storm, despite it being forecasted well in advance. He described the series of errors as “indescribable” and “unreasonable,” pointing to security camera footage that showed the lights on the yacht’s mast going out, indicating a possible short circuit. This, he suggested, may have been a critical failure contributing to the disaster.
The sinking of the yacht has led to the immediate launch of a criminal investigation by Italian authorities, though no suspects have been publicly identified at this time. The investigation aims to determine the exact causes of the accident and whether any negligence or criminal behavior was involved in the sinking of the vessel.
The luxury yacht had 22 passengers and crew members on board when it capsized. Among the victims were prominent figures including Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy, and New York lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda. The retrieval of the bodies has been a complex and dangerous operation, with the wreckage lying approximately 160 feet underwater. Divers have had to contend with limited time—only about 12 minutes per dive—due to the depth and the conditions surrounding the wreck.
As the investigation continues, the families of the victims and the broader public are left grappling with the tragic loss of life and the questions surrounding how such a catastrophic event could have occurred despite the warning signs.
