A search and rescue operation is under way in Sicily to find at least seven people after a 160ft yacht, reported to be carrying mostly British passengers, capsized in the early hours of Monday.
At least seven people are reported to be missing after the tourist boat sank off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, at around 5am local time (6am UK time).
DETAILS OF PEOPLE MISSING
Four British nationals and two Americans are among at least seven people missing after a 180ft yacht sank off the coast of Sicily in the early hours of this morning, Italian media reports.
Fifteen of the 22 people on board, including a one-year-old child and its mother, were rescued by coast guard patrol boats and firefighters.
The passengers were mainly British, according to reports, while citizens from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Canada, the US and two dual British and French nationals were also said to be on board.
The group are reported to have been tourists on holiday in Sicily, and the boat sailed under a British flag.
The vessel is believed to have taken on water after a tornado hit the area off the coast of Porticello, near Palermo, at around 5am.
