Rome, 19 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) – One person has died and a further six are missing after a yacht was caught in a severe storm and keeled over off the northern Sicilian port of Porticello, the Italian coastguard told dpa on Monday.

Italy's ANSA news agency had earlier reported the accident. Initially, seven people were reported missing, before one body was found in the water.

The British-flagged sailing yacht is said to be around 50 metres in length and to have been carrying a 12 passengers and 10 crew.

The coastguard and emergency services rescued 15 people and took them ashore. The missing to include British, US and Canadian nationals.

Four ships, a helicopter and the coastguard, along with a diving team were continuing their search.

The yacht was reported to be lying on the seafloor at a depth of 49 metres.

MIA file photo