• The probe is now centered on human and operational factors rather than extreme weather
• Seven people died in the sinking, including British tech billionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter

A preliminary investigation has found that the sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily was not caused by a storm, contrary to initial assumptions, according to media reports.

The 56-meter yacht sank on 19 August 2024 off the Italian coast, killing seven people, including British billionaire tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter.

Initial findings from Italian prosecutors indicate that weather conditions on the day were not a major storm but rather a sudden gust of wind typically preceding thunderstorms and heavy rain, which should have been manageable for the crew.

Evidence suggests the cause may be linked to crew misjudgment of weather conditions, as well as failures in properly activating certain safety systems.

Investigators are also examining possible criminal liability, including negligence in vessel management and involuntary manslaughter involving the captain and two crew members.

Accounts of the incident remain disputed among the yacht’s manufacturer, Italian authorities, British investigators, and survivors, with disagreements over what triggered the sudden sinking.

A previous UK report indicated that wind speeds exceeding 63 knots were sufficient to cause severe tilting and loss of stability.

Another hypothesis suggests the yacht’s design may have contributed to instability depending on its operational mode at the time of the incident.

The manufacturer has defended the vessel as “unsinkable,” suggesting that open doors or hatches may have allowed water ingress.

The yacht was later recovered from the seabed about 10 months after the disaster in a complex and costly salvage operation, while investigations continue to determine final responsibility for the incident involving 22 people on board.