Sicily yacht divers find five bodies in wreck of the Bayesian

The Bayesian sank during freak weather early on Monday some 700 metres off the coast.

It is thought to have been struck by a tornado over the water – otherwise known as a waterspout – which caused the vessel to capsize and sink 50m (164ft) to the seabed.

A steady stream of boats were seen going in and out of Porticello throughout Wednesday, ferrying divers to and from the search site.

Dozens of emergency services staff had lined the small quayside as the bodies of those missing were returned by boat from the area of the wreck.

One body bag was seen being put in the back of an ambulance before the sound of sirens filed the harbour and the vehicle, escorted by two police cars, left the port.

Italian authorities have so far declined to identify those recovered, despite reports from local and international media on some of their names.

This is likely because they are waiting to bring back all six bodies before contacting the victims’ families and according to Italian law, the deceased must be formally identified by a family member, or a person close to the victims, before the deaths can be officially certified.

Earlier, the head of Sicily’s civil protection agency Salvatore Cocina said there would be an investigation in due course, but the priority was to find everyone who was on board the Bayesian vessel.

Neda Morvillo, an American jewellery designer, and her husband Chris are also among the missing.