ROME and LONDON — A 164-foot sailboat carrying 22 people sank early on Monday off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily following stormy weather in the area, according to ANSA, an Italian news agency.
Members of the coast guard have rescued 15 passengers, but seven were still missing, according to the report. The vessel sank half a mile off Porticello, near the coastal city of Palermo. The ship is currently located at a depth of around 160 feet, with firefighter divers now attempting to reach it, the report said.
Fabio La Bianca, who owns the local BAIA Santa Nicolicchia restaurant, told ABC News that he noticed the moored vessel had disappeared when he went to check on storm damage to his business.
“After half an hour with the other guys we realized that it was no longer there and immediately the rescuers were going around to look for the missing, they had also launched two distress rockets in the air before,” La Bianca said.
Local Mayor Giuseppe D’Agostino wrote on Facebook that the “tragedy that struck our community is unparalleled in history.”
“The administration has activated all channels with the police and is taking care of the people recovered alive so far,” D’Agostino said, adding that local authorities are gathering clothes and finding accommodation for the survivors.
“The search continues at sea and all we can do is pray and hope to find someone alive.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News’ Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.