Horror images show body pulled from water and faces of terrified survivors as Bayesian superyacht sinks

Photographers have captured images of the survivors and the scene of a yacht disaster , seen exiting the Coast Guard Headquarters in Porticello near Palermo, Italy, after a boat was capsized resulting in British tech tycooon Mike Lynch having gone missing.

Several people, including four Brits, two Americans, and a Canadian, are still missing after the 50-meter sailing yacht Bayesian, carrying 22 passengers, sank.

Italy's coastguard and firefighters have successfully rescued 15 people, with search and rescue operations continuing.

• Mike Lynch admitted to fears he'd 'die' one month before Brit billionaire went missing after yacht sinks in Sicily
• Extreme rain causes widespread power outages in Canada as severe thunderstorm warning issued

A frantic search operation has been launched for 22 individuals who vanished after a luxury yacht capsized off the coast of Palermo, southern Italy.

The vessel, known as the Bajesian, ran into trouble around 5am after being hit by a tornado while sailing near Porticello, a fishing village in Sicily. Among those missing are four Brits, a Canadian, and two Americans.

Local media reports suggest that the body of one man - believed to be a member of the kitchen crew - has been recovered from the water.

Six people remain unaccounted for, one of whom is British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, according to reports. The tycoon, whose family reportedly owns the superyacht, is said to have disappeared following this morning's catastrophe.

His wife, Angela Bacares, is among the survivors who have been brought to shore.

Emergency services have rescued 15 people, including a one year old baby and its mother, from a vessel that ran into trouble around 5am today. However, the search continues for the remaining passengers.

The boat is thought to have sunk during extreme weather conditions when a tornado hit Sicily. Divers have already reached the hull, which is situated 49 meters deep and about half a mile from the coast.

The survivors have been taken to Porticciolo.