Superyacht sinking latest: Captain investigated for manslaughter
A manslaughter investigation has been launched into the captain of a superyacht that sank in a violent storm off Sicily.
ROME — A multiple manslaughter investigation has been launched into the captain of a superyacht that sank in a violent storm off Sicily, killing British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five other people, his lawyer has told NBC News.
James Cutfield is also being investigated on suspicion of causing a shipwreck, the lawyer, Giovanni Rizzuti, said in a telephone conversation on Monday. He added that Sicilian prosecutors will question Cutfield, 51, again Tuesday.
In a separate interview Tuesday, Rizzuti said that Cutfield was expected to be questioned by prosecutors at around 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET) at the hotel where the captain, crew and survivors have been staying following the shipwreck.
Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt and does not mean formal charges will necessarily follow. Notices to people under investigation need to be sent out before authorities can carry out the autopsies on the bodies of the dead.
It is unclear whether other members of the crew of the $40 million Bayesian or any other people will also be put under investigation along with Cutfield, a New Zealand national.
Rating: 5