dpa
Rome
After the sinking of the luxury yacht Bayesian off Sicily, which resulted in seven fatalities, the prosecution has launched an investigation into the captain, Italian media reports said on Monday.
He is being investigated for negligent homicide and shipwreck, the news agency ANSA and the daily newspaper La Repubblica reported. On Sunday, he was questioned for the second time within a week.
The accident, near the shore of the Italian Mediterranean island, claimed the lives of British billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter last Monday, as well as two couples who were friends and the ship’s cook. Fifteen people were able to be rescued.
The billionaire software entrepreneur had intended to celebrate a court acquittal on a sailing trip with family, friends and business partners. According to investigators’ findings, at around 4am (0200 GMT), the Bayesian was hit by a downdraught during a storm with wind speeds of more than 100 kilometres per hour. It sank within minutes.
During the most recent questioning of the captain, the reports said the focus was partly on whether doors and hatches were open or closed during the incident and when the alarm was triggered. He was subsequently added to the register of suspects. The investigators are currently also questioning the other crew members. It is not ruled out that some crew members may also be investigated.