An Italian prosecutor has initiated a manslaughter investigation following the tragic deaths of British tech magnate Mike Lynch and six others when their luxury yacht, the *Bayesian*, sank off Sicily earlier this week. The prosecutor, Ambrogio Cartosio, stated that while the yacht was struck by a sudden and severe meteorological event, it is "plausible" that negligence may have played a role, leading to multiple counts of manslaughter and the causing of a shipwreck. The investigation is currently not targeting any specific individual, but authorities are thoroughly examining the circumstances surrounding the disaster, which claimed the lives of Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, and several others.

The sinking of the 56-meter yacht has raised concerns among marine experts, as the *Bayesian*, built by the esteemed Italian yacht manufacturer Perini, should have withstood the storm or at least not sunk as quickly as it did. Salvaging the yacht, which rests at a depth of 50 meters, is seen as crucial to determining the exact cause of the sinking, though the operation is expected to be complex and costly. The CEO of The Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini, dismissed any design or construction flaws, attributing the shipwreck to "indescribable, unreasonable errors" by the crew.

The incident occurred during a pre-dawn storm near Palermo, with survivors, including Lynch's wife and the yacht’s captain, being questioned by authorities. The meteorological event responsible for the sinking is believed to have been a "downburst," a powerful downward wind that, while intense, is a relatively common phenomenon at sea. Unfortunately, the passengers were likely asleep when the storm hit, which may have contributed to the high casualty rate. The bodies of the deceased, including Hannah Lynch, were recovered throughout the week, with some found in the yacht’s cabins where they might have sought pockets of air as the vessel sank.