'I held her with all my strength': Brit mother reveals how she saved her baby as superyacht sank in tornado off Sicily

19 August 2024, 13:13 | Updated: 20 August 2024, 09:59

A British mother who was rescued from a sinking superyacht off the coast in Sicily has revealed how she saved her baby daughter.

One person died and six are still missing after the yacht - believed to be carrying mostly Brits - was hit by a tornado near Palermo at around 5am on Monday.

So far, 15 people have been rescued by coast guards on patrol boats and firefighters, including a one-year-old baby.

The child's mother, Charlotte, said her daughter is now being treated in the Di Cristina hospital in Palermo.

Recounting how she protected her baby as the vessel sunk, Charlotte said: “I held her afloat with all my strength, my arms stretched upwards to keep her from drowning.

“It was all dark. In the water I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I screamed for help but all I could hear around me was the screams of others.” 

Speaking to local news website la Repubblica, she added that her husband, James, had suffered minor injuries and was taken to Civico hospital in Palermo. 

Charlotte said she had reassured her husband that their child was ok and the pair promised to hug each other again soon.

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Read more: One dead and six missing as British-flagged yacht sinks after being 'hit by tornado' in Italy

Meanwhile, four Brits are understood to be among the seven missing from the yacht.

There were also citizens from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland and two dual British and French nationals on board, local media reported.

The group are said to have been tourists on holiday, with the boat - named Bajesian - sailing under a British flag.

It had been moored in the port at Porticello and set sail on Sunday evening, the ANSA news agency said.

A man told the agency: "That boat was all lit up.

"At around 4.30 in the morning it was gone.  

"A beautiful boat where there had been a party. A normal holiday spent happily at sea turned into a tragedy. 

"The boat was not far from the port. It took very little to raise the anchor and head for the port.

"Evidently they were surprised by the storm that suddenly hit and they were unable to avoid sinking."

The vessel is able to accommodate 12 passengers and 10 crew members.

The cook is the only crew member missing.

Filippo Tripoli, the mayor of Bagheria in Sicily, said: "This morning, off the coast of Santa Flavia, a foreign boat sunk due to bad weather, 15 people recovered and seven missing.

"Already all the police forces and emergency services are operational and our Red Cross volunteers are present."

CCTV from Monday morning showed the fierce storm, including water spouts, that battered the area.

Umbrellas, plant pots, tables and chairs were sent flying in the strong winds.

The owners of local restaurant Baia Santa Nicolicchia said: "We have no memory of anything like this in our area."