Authorities in Italy have initiated a manslaughter investigation following the tragic sinking of a superyacht off the coast of Sicily earlier this week, which resulted in the deaths of seven people.
Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, who announced the investigation, revealed that the sinking was not caused by adverse weather conditions but was instead linked to the actions of the crew and the manner in which the vessel was operated.
Cartosio emphasised that the investigation does not target any specific individual at this stage. “There are numerous possibilities for culpability. It could be solely the captain’s responsibility, or it could involve the entire crew. The guard could also be implicated. We are thoroughly evaluating all the factors to determine where the fault lies,” Cartosio stated.
The prosecutor’s office has “filed a dossier, currently against unknown persons, alleging the crimes of negligent shipwreck and manslaughter,” he added.
While the exact cause of the sinking of the superyacht remains unconfirmed, speculation is rife that the vessel was struck by a waterspout, a type of tornado. The coastguard reported that the yacht was hit by a tornado, and a waterspout was recorded in the European Severe Weather Database around the same time.
