A New Zealand citizen is one of 22 people on a luxury boat which sank off the coast of Sicily after a tornado struck the area.
The local coastguard rescued 15 people, including the Kiwi, but seven others were reported missing after the 56m boat sank about 5am local time (3pm NZT).
Italy’s Ansa news agency reported one person’s body was recovered after firefighter divers reached the boat, named the Bayesian, at a depth of 49m – half a mile off the coast of Porticello.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson confirmed that at least one New Zealander was involved.
“The New Zealand Embassy in Rome is responding to the incident... The Embassy is working with local authorities to clarify further details,” the spokesperson said.