The vessel, identified as the Bayesian, went down after reportedly taking on water following a tornado near Porticello, close to Palermo, around 5am.
At least seven people, including four British nationals and two Americans, are missing after a 180ft yacht sank off the coast of Sicily in the early hours on Monday, according to Italian media.
The vessel, identified as the Bayesian, went down after reportedly taking on water following a tornado near Porticello, close to Palermo, around 5am.
Fifteen of the 22 people aboard were rescued by coast guard patrol boats and firefighters, including a mother and her one-year-old child, who were taken to the Children's Hospital of Palermo, Mail Online reports.
Both are said to be fine, with the mother sustaining only minor injuries and the child undergoing tests as a precaution, the reports said.
The passengers, primarily British tourists on holiday in Sicily, included citizens from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Canada, and the US, as well as two individuals holding dual British and French nationality.
A local Facebook group shared an image of the Bayesian at anchor last night before the storm hit.
Expert divers have since reached the yacht's hull, now resting 49 metres below water and about half a mile from the coast. Nautical maps indicated the yacht’s last known position just after 2am local time, still anchored.
Among those missing is the yacht's cook, the only crewmember unaccounted for, while the captain, who survived, is reportedly "very upset by what has happened" and is expected to speak to authorities.