The luxury yacht Bayesian sank on August 19 off the coast of Sicily. It is believed that the cause of the disaster was a waterspout. Seven of the 22 people on board at the time died. Among the victims were British media magnate Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Yacht Disaster: Four People Did Not Die from Drowning
On Thursday, September 5, the BBC reported, citing Italian media, that at least four of the victims died from asphyxiation. So far, the autopsy results of banker Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer, as well as lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, have been revealed. The autopsies did not find water in their lungs. The deaths occurred due to a lack of oxygen, and no injuries were found on the bodies.
According to investigators, the cabin where the bodies were found gradually filled with carbon dioxide, cutting off the victims' access to oxygen, leading to their deaths. The bodies were discovered on the yacht’s left side, which tilted to the right as it sank. This suggests that the victims may have been trying to find the last traces of oxygen in an air pocket that formed inside the cabin.
Prosecutors Investigating: More Autopsies Planned
In the coming days, autopsies will be conducted on Lynch, his daughter, and Recaldo Thomas, the yacht's chef. Further clues about the circumstances of the tragedy may come from examining the yacht's wreckage, which investigators plan to recover from the seabed.
As reported on Next.gazeta.pl, prosecutors have launched a murder investigation. The inquiry involves the yacht’s captain, James Cutfield, as well as two crew members: Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffiths. None have been charged so far. Investigators are determining whether the sinking of the yacht was the result of negligence on the part of the crew.
