The yacht sank during a huge storm.

22 people were on board the sailboat, including an Irish national, which sank after being hit by a waterspout.

The Italian Coast Guard have since said that a body has been found during search operations.

In a statement, the coast guard said: "This morning around 5am, following a violent storm, a 56-metre yacht called Bayesian, flying the British flag, sank near Porticello."

Four Britons, two Americans, and one Canadian are missing and it has been reported in Irish press that the Irish national on board is missing too.

15 people, including a child, were rescued after the boat sank when rough seas and a whirlwind hit the area at sunrise.

These 15 are all reportedly in a stable condition.

A coast guard official added that the 'wind was very strong'.

They continued: "Bad weather was expected, but not of this magnitude."

Divers from a nearby fire department are continuing their search around the vessel which is now at a depth of around 50 metres, half a mile from the coast.