A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Palermo when a 49-metre sailboat carrying 22 people sank due to bad weather. Fifteen individuals have been rescued, while seven are still missing. The boat, named the “Bajesian,” was primarily carrying British citizens, along with individuals from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, France, and Ireland. Among those rescued was a one-year-old boy who was taken to the Children’s Hospital in Palermo.
The incident took place in the early hours of the morning, with the boat sinking in a stretch of sea near Porticello. Local media reports indicated that a fierce storm, including water spouts, battered the area leading up to the tragic event. Divers from the fire brigade have been deployed to search for the missing individuals at a depth of 49 metres.
Search and rescue operations are currently underway with the help of coastguard patrol boats, fire brigades, and a helicopter. The missing individuals include one crew member, four Britons, one Canadian, and two Americans. The entire tragedy has left the community in shock and mourning, with hopes that the search efforts will be able to locate the missing passengers soon.
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