Public prosecutor opens a case of shipwreck and possible murder: 'Offenses were committed'

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Prosecutors investigating how the £ 30 million superyacht Bayesian came to sink off the coast of Sicily say they have as-yet-unanswered questions for the crew who escaped the sinking ship as seven others died. (writes The Daily Mail) Six passengers - including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah - died alongside one member of the crew when the British-flagged yacht sank.

A press conference held earlier today after search efforts concluded raised more questions than answers as investigators admitted they were still piecing together how exactly the ship came to sink - and why so many passengers died. (according to The Daily Mail)

Italian prosecutors have admitted they did not conduct alcohol and drug testing on the vessel's crew because they needed treatment and were in shock. (according to The Daily Mail)

A weather phenomenon known as a downburst - often produced in thunderstorms and mistaken for tornadoes - is now believed to have played a part. According to the International Centre for Waterspout Research, there were 18 confirmed waterspouts off the coast of Italy on 19 August alone. (writes BBC.com)

But the coastguard says no tornado warning had been issued that night, contrary to previous reports, and the ships' captain James Cutfield reportedly told Italian newspaper La Repubblica of the sudden weather change: 'We didn't see it coming.' (writes the Daily Mail)

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Public prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio said he thought it was 'probable that offenses were committed' surrounding the yacht's sinking. He has opened a case of shipwreck and manslaughter that, at present, is not directed at any individuals.

According to a live translation provided by the BBC, he told reporters that the sinking could have been the responsibility of the captain, crew, individuals in charge of supervision, the ship-builder, or others. He added: 'We will establish each element's responsibility - that will be done by the inquiry, so we can't do that prematurely. 'For me, it is probable that offenses were committed - that it could be a case of manslaughter - but we can only establish that if you give us the time to investigate. (source of the information: The Daily Mail)

Water spout turned tornado near Tampa Florida 7-8-13Photo byKaren Payne, Pinterest