Investigation Launched Into Superyacht Sinking: Captain May Face Charges

Italian prosecutors are investigating James Cutfield, the captain of the superyacht that sank off Sicily, causing the deaths of British tech magnate Mike Lynch and six others. Fifteen passengers survived. Cutfield is suspected of manslaughter and shipwreck. The investigation is ongoing and could implicate other crew members.

Italian prosecutors have begun investigating James Cutfield, captain of the superyacht that tragically sank off Sicily last week, claiming the lives of British tech magnate Mike Lynch and six others, according to one of Cutfield's lawyers.

Giovanni Rizzuti, Cutfield's lawyer, revealed that his client, a 51-year-old New Zealand native, is being probed for potential charges of manslaughter and shipwreck. The lawyer stated that Cutfield will face prosecutors on Tuesday and may choose to remain silent. Crew members were already questioned on Monday.

The disaster occurred on Aug. 19 near northern Sicily, when a storm caused the Bayesian yacht to capsize and sink, killing six out of the 22 people onboard. Prosecutors plan to salvage the wreck and determine culpability for the incident, potentially extending the investigation to additional individuals.