Fact Check: One diver died during the initial recovery attempts of the sunken superyacht.

Fact Check: "One diver died during the initial recovery attempts of the sunken superyacht."

What We Know

On May 9, 2025, it was reported that a diver died during preliminary operations to recover the sunken superyacht Bayesian, owned by British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, off the coast of northern Sicily. The diver, a 39-year-old Dutch national working for a specialist salvage company, was underwater at the time of the incident, and local police stated that the precise cause of death was still unknown (BBC). This incident occurred as salvage operations were underway to recover the yacht, which sank during a storm in August 2024, resulting in the deaths of seven of the 22 people on board (CBS News).

The Bayesian sank rapidly after being struck by severe weather, and the recovery operation involves multiple specialist teams, including TMC Marine and Dutch companies Hebo and SMIT Salvage (Reuters). Following the diver's death, work on raising the yacht was temporarily suspended as authorities began an investigation into the incident (CBS News).

Analysis

The claim that one diver died during the initial recovery attempts of the sunken superyacht is supported by multiple credible sources. The reports from BBC, Reuters, and CBS News consistently confirm the diver's death and provide details about the recovery operation and the ongoing investigation.

The diver's identity as a 39-year-old Dutch national and the circumstances surrounding his death indicate that he was engaged in high-risk underwater salvage work. The reports also highlight the complexity of the recovery operation, which involves cutting and removing the yacht's mast before the main recovery can occur. This adds context to the dangers faced by divers in such operations.

The sources used are reputable news organizations, which generally adhere to journalistic standards of accuracy and reliability. However, it is important to note that the exact cause of the diver's death has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing. This uncertainty is typical in such incidents, where multiple factors can contribute to accidents in challenging environments.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that one diver died during the initial recovery attempts of the sunken superyacht Bayesian is true. Multiple credible sources confirm the diver's death during salvage operations, and the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident further substantiates this claim.

Fact Check: One diver died during the initial recovery attempts of the sunken superyacht.