In a shocking turn of events, British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, widely hailed as the ‘U.K.’s Bill Gates,’ is reported missing after his luxury yacht sank during a fierce storm off the coast of Sicily. The incident occurred on Monday when Lynch’s yacht, named the Bayesian, was caught in the storm and sank near Palermo, the Sicilian capital. Rescue operations are currently underway.
Lynch, who had been acquitted of fraud charges in June, rose to prominence in the tech world through the sale of his software company, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard for a staggering $11 billion in 2011. However, the deal turned sour when Hewlett-Packard reduced Autonomy’s value by a substantial $8.8 billion.
Rescue teams from Rome, Sassari, and Cagliari are actively participating in the search operation. Marco Tilotta, the chief of the firefighters’ divers in Palermo, highlighted the challenges posed by the depth of the vessel and its location, making the rescue efforts particularly difficult.
Of the 22 people on board the Bayesian, 15 have been rescued, including Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares. However, Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, remain unaccounted for. Jonathan Bloomer, the non-executive chairman of Morgan Stanley International, is also listed among the missing, according to a statement released by the bank.
Lynch’s disappearance comes shortly after his acquittal in June of fraud charges related to the controversial $11 billion deal between his company Autonomy and Hewlett-Packard. He had been accused of conspiracy and wire fraud in 2018, with allegations that he inflated Autonomy’s revenues to make it appear more attractive to potential buyers. His acquittal was considered a significant victory for the entrepreneur.
The search for Lynch and the other missing individuals continues, with rescue teams working tirelessly to locate them amidst the challenging circumstances. The incident has sent shockwaves through the tech world and beyond, with many expressing concern and hoping for a positive outcome.
