An ongoing investigation into the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht has found bad weather was not severe enough to cause its deadly capsizing, Sky News understands.
The boat was owned by British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, who was among seven people - including his 18-year-old daughter Hannah - who died when it sank in August 2024 off the coast of Sicily during a storm.
Italian prosecutors appointed experts to determine the intensity of the weather on the night of the disaster.
Sky News understands they have found it amounted to "little more than a squall, a sudden increase in wind speed that precedes thunderstorms and downpours", which should have been manageable for the crew.
According to the preliminary findings, the yacht therefore sank due to the crew's improper actions, their underestimation of the weather, and certain safety devices not being activated properly.
An investigation opened by the Italian prosecutors is considering the possibility of alleged crimes including negligent shipwreck and multiple counts of manslaughter, for the captain of the yacht and two of its crew.
They have also raised the possibility of liability on the part of the superyacht's builder.
The Bayesian sank near Palermo at around 5am on 19 August 2024.
Mr Lynch was onboard with 11 other guests - including his daughter, who died, and his wife, Angela Bacares, who was rescued - and 10 crew members.
The other victims were the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas; Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer; and Mr Lynch's lawyer, Chris Morvillo, and his wife, Neda Morvillo.
Read more:
Victim's family has 'serious concerns' over failures
Diver dies during yacht recovery
An interim report published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) last year found guests used an "improvised ladder" to try to escape after the vessel capsized.
It said the captain had prepared to manoeuvre the ship after the crew was woken up by strong winds and waves, but a sudden spike in the wind speed at around 4.06am caused the boat to "violently" tip 90 degrees in less than 15 seconds.
Authorities resurfaced the Bayesian after a months-long operation in June last year.
(c) Sky News 2026: Bayesian superyacht sinking did not happen due to storm, investigators find
Solar power soars to new heights but fears over 'dangerously high' temperatures
Starmer says some pro-Palestine marches could be stopped
Starmer's top team split over whether PM should carry out reshuffle next month
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are heading to court. Here's everything you need to know
EU hits back at ‘unacceptable’ Donald Trump over plans to increase tariffs
Man, 66, charged after car bomb attack outside police station in Northern Ireland
Inside the base where RAF 'aces' are shooting down Iranian drones
The war in Iran is coming for Britain's favourite food
