Potential homicide being investigated in sinking of superyacht

An Italian prosecutor has said that a manslaughter investigation has been opened into the deaths of seven people after the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily.

The Bayesian superyacht sank on Monday (19 August) with one person found dead at the scene and six more recovered from the sea in the following days.

In a press conference today, prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said that his office had opened the manslaughter investigation.

He said that 'behaviours that were not perfectly in order' might have been the reason why seven people died in the sinking of the yacht, but added that all possible lines of inquiry were being considered.

There were a total of 22 people on board the yacht, and 15 of them were able to survive by making it to a lifeboat.

Seven bodies were recovered from the sinking, and prosecutors are looking at the potential of manslaughter. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

When the Bayesian yacht sank the body of chef Recaldo Thomas was found at the scene, and the bodies of British billionaire Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy Bloomer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo were also recovered.

According to a translation, the prosecutor said they were conducting an investigation against unknown persons.

A spokesperson for the Lynch family said: “The Lynch family is devastated, in shock and is being comforted and supported by family and friends.

"Their thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy. They would like to sincerely thank the Italian coastguard, emergency services and all those who helped in the rescue.

"Their one request now is that their privacy be respected at this time of unspeakable grief.”

The superyacht had been about half a mile off the coast of the Sicilian town of Porticello when it went down.

A total of seven bodies were recovered and the authorities are investigating potential manslaughter. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Italian Coastguard member Vincenzo Zagarola said that searching for the bodies had not been 'easy or quick' as exploring the wreckage of the yacht was like going through an '18-storey building full of water'.

Hannah Lynch's sister Esme offered her own tribute to the 18-year-old who died, saying: "Hannah often burst into my bedroom and lay down with me.

“Sometimes beaming with a smile, sometimes cheeky, sometimes for advice. No matter what, she brought boundless love to me.

“She was endlessly caring, passionately mad, unintentionally hilarious and the most amazing, supportive and joyful sister and best friend to me.

“And on top of all this, she had even more love to give endlessly to all her friends and passion to give to her incredible studies and goals.

“She is my little angel, my star.”