One dead and six missing after boat carrying UK tourists sinks off Sicily

A luxury sailboat carrying tourists – including some from the UK – has capsized and sunk off the coast of Sicily in bad weather.

One body has been found, six people were missing and 15 people were rescued, authorities said.

The British-flagged, 56-metre Bayesian had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers, representing British, American and Canadian nationalities, the Italian coast guard said.

Fifteen people were rescued initially and taken to shore at Porticello, where eight were in the hospital.

One body was found near the wreck, but six others were unaccounted for, said Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Italian fire rescue service.

A helicopter and rescue boats from the coast guard, carabinieri, fire rescue and civil protection service were at the scene searching for the missing and had located the wreck at a depth of 50 metres.

The boat capsized at around 5am on Monday morning off the port of Porticello.

Experienced deep-water divers were arriving at the scene to try to enter the hull, he said.

Those who had not been rescued included one member of the crew and six passengers, the coast guard said.

Local media said a fierce storm, including water spouts, had battered the area overnight but skies were clear and seas calm by Monday morning.

The Ansa news agency said the yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, had been moored off the port at Porticello.