SEVEN people have reportedly gone missing after a 180ft superyacht was hit by a tornado before sinking off the coast of Sicily overnight.
Four British tourists are believed to be still unaccounted for as the Palermo port authority announced this morning they are “looking for people alive” as the hunt for survivors continues.
Two US holidaymakers and a Canadian are also reportedly still missing after the £14million vessel was struck by violent winds and rain.
Almost all of the 22 passengers and crew onboard are said to have been inside their cabins and rooms when the weather took a turn.
The yacht is believed to have been flooded by water after a tornado off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, at around 5am on Monday morning.
Many of the terrified passengers managed to escape their rooms before being forced to enter the sea, say Corriere Della Sera.
At least 15 people were saved by coast guards, patrol boats, firefighters and local fishermen after the captain reported the horror ordeal.
A one-year-old child was among those rescued along with his mother.
Citizens from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland and France were also onboard alongside the British nationals, say Italian media.
The group are said to have been on holiday in Sicily.
The yacht is believed to be called Bayesian and costs 166,000-a-week to rent out.
It sails under a British flag, according to a Facebook post Sunday evening.
Do you have any information on the sinking yacht or those onboard? Email us at georgie.english@the-sun.co.uk
An expert team of divers have already been able to locate the hull, according to Italian media.
It was discovered 160ft below the water around half a mile from the coast.
Of the 22 people onboard the Bayesian, six tourists are still missing along with the cook who was part of the crew.
The youngest onboard was a baby, 1, who was rushed to the nearby Children’s Hospital of Palermo with its mother after they were found.
The Bayesian first set sail in 2008 after being produced by Italian yacht builder Perini Navi, say Superyacht Times.
It can hold up to 12 guests and 10 crew members and features six cabins.
It is said to have the second tallest mast in the world at a height of 246ft, say il Fatto Quotidiano.
She can reportedly reach speeds of up to 15.5 knots and is powered by twin Caterpillar C-32 diesel engines.
It comes just a week after a £1million yacht sank near Majorca with five people including a child onboard.
Terrifying footage shows an entire half of the vessel submerging down into the sea off Camp de Mar in Andratx – promoting an urgent rescue mission with all five being rushed back to land safely.
Days earlier a luxury superyacht started to sink after a crew member left a door open – causing water to flood the interior.
The 150ft vessel dubbed “Ethos” was carrying five wealthy tourists when it dramatically started tipping over as waves crashed into its side.
Sat just off the coast of Kefalonia, Greece, in the Paleokaravo Bay, the £180,000-a-week yacht was sent to a watery grave after the huge blunder.
