At least seven people are missing after a 160-foot yacht with 22 people on board sank off the coast of Sicily in the early morning hours, Italian media report.
Fifteen people, including a one-year-old child, were rescued by coast guard patrol boats and firefighters.
According to reports, the passengers were mainly Britishwhile there were also citizens of New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland and two people with dual British and French nationality on board.
The group is said to have been tourists on holiday in Sicily and it is believed the boat was flying the British flag.
The ship is believed to have taken on water after a tornado hit the area off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, at around 5am.
A local Facebook group shared a photo of the yacht (left) at anchor last night. The ship has been named Bayesian and is believed to be flying the British flag.
The vessel has been named Bayesian and a local Facebook group shared a photo of the yacht at anchor last night before the storm hit.
According to Italian media, experienced divers have already dived to the hull, which is 49 meters (160 feet) underwater and about half a mile (0.5 km) from the coast.
The rescued baby was reportedly taken to Palermo Children’s Hospital, where he arrived with his mother.
Both are said to be doing well. The mother sustained only minor injuries and the child is undergoing tests as a precaution.