In a tragic incident, a superyacht capsized during a storm off the coast of Sicily, resulting in the loss of seven lives, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his daughter. Italian prosecutors have now opened an investigation into the culpable shipwreck and multiple manslaughter, aiming to determine responsibility for the devastating accident.

Termini Imerese prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio confirmed the launch of the investigation, emphasizing that no suspects have been identified thus far. Speaking at a news conference, Cartosio stated, "We are only in the initial phase of the investigation. We can't exclude any sort of development at present." He further added that his team will thoroughly analyze several factors of possible responsibility, including the ship's captain, crew members, supervisors, the ship-builder, and others.

According to the prosecutors, the key question they are investigating is how a supposedly "unsinkable" sailing vessel, manufactured by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, capsized while a nearby sailboat endured the storm unharmed. The incident occurred in an incredibly rapid manner, with information indicating the presence of a "downburst," a powerful, localized wind that descends rapidly from a thunderstorm and spreads upon hitting the ground. Initially, civil protection officials believed that a waterspout, a tornado over the water, struck the yacht.

One of the concerning aspects being investigated is the discrepancy in survival rates. While most of the crew members were rescued, including the chef, six passengers remained trapped inside the hull. Local officials have reported that the bodies recovered were primarily found on the left side of the ship, closer to the surface. This suggests that the passengers sought safety in the cabins where the last air bubbles had formed. Deputy Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano mentioned that it is probable the passengers were asleep, and investigators will also ascertain whether they were alerted by someone.

The tragic incident occurred while the 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged luxury yacht, named The Bayesian, was sailing through rough waters near the Mediterranean island in southern Italy early Monday. The yacht was carrying a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, including Lynch and his family. The last body to be recovered was that of Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah Lynch, who was found on Thursday. Mike Lynch had been celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges, accompanied by his family and defense team from the United States. Fortunately, Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, survived the accident.

The rescue operation to retrieve all the bodies lasted for four days, with rescuers facing difficulties in navigating through the interior of the wreck located 50 meters (164 feet) below the surface of the sea. Alongside Mike and Hannah Lynch, the other victims included Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda, one of Lynch's U.S. lawyers, Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of a London-based investment banking subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and his wife Judy, as well as Recaldo Thomas, the chef on board the yacht.

As the investigation progresses, authorities will diligently examine all possible evidence to ascertain the cause of the tragic capsizing and determine accountability for this devastating incident.