Investigation underway into fatal yacht sinking near Porticello

The Termini Imerese Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian, which went down in the waters off Porticello on August 19. The initial inquiry, which is currently against unknown parties, considers charges of manslaughter and negligence. Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio noted that while the investigation is still in its early stages, developments could lead to new findings or charges. “The transition from unknown to known suspects does not solely depend on recovering the vessel; various assessments will influence this decision,” Cartosio explained at a press conference.

Cartosio expressed deep sympathy for the families affected by the tragedy and emphasized the severity of the situation. “The tragedy is grave. It would be even more painful if the investigation reveals that this disaster was caused by actions that failed to meet the responsibilities of those managing the navigation,” he said.

Substitute Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano detailed that the investigation is focusing on the conduct of the yacht’s crew. Survivors have already been interviewed, and the event is described as sudden and unexpected. The investigation will rely on recovering and analyzing the wreckage, which will provide answers to currently unknown questions. Recovering the black box will require hazardous work by divers, as further assessments are necessary before that can proceed.