A 50-meter sailing yacht named Bayesian, flying the British flag, sank early in the morning off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, due to severe weather conditions.

The incident occurred around 5 AM, with the vessel now resting at a depth of 49 meters, half a mile from the shore.

Of the 22 people on board, 15 have been rescued by the coast guard and firefighters, including a baby under one year old who was taken to Palermo's Children's Hospital for precautionary checks.

Seven individuals remain missing, including a Canadian, four Britons, and others from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Ireland.

The survivors, mostly tourists on vacation in Sicily, are being assisted by local authorities.

Rescue operations continue as divers search the submerged yacht.