Seven missing after sailboat sinks in storm off Sicily

A helicopter and rescue boats from the coast guard and fire rescue service were at the scene searching for the missing, and divers had found the wreck at a depth of 50m, the service said. 

The boat capsized off the port of Porticello.

Local media said a fierce storm, including water spouts, battered the area overnight. 

The newspaper Il Giornale de Sicilia reported the sailboat was flying a British flag and had mostly British passengers on board but also New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland and British-French citizens.

The ANSA news agency said the boat was named Bajesian and had been moored in the port at Porticello and set sail on Sunday evening.