Family await news of man on sunken luxury yacht

Jonathan Bloomer is one of six people still missing after the yacht sank on Monday

The twin brother of a British man, missing after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, has said he is still waiting for news about his sibling.

Morgan Stanley Bank International chair Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy are among six people still missing after the Bayesian sank in a storm on Monday with 22 people on board.

Jeremy Bloomer, who lives in Worcestershire, said the family were still waiting to find out if Jonathan was still alive.

The search operation is now entering its third day but it is understood divers are struggling to get inside the boat’s wreckage.

“They’re still going down to the wreck, they can’t get through at the moment because of the debris in the way,” Mr Bloomer said.

“It’s a slow process, and it will take time. There might be air pockets but we don’t know.”

He said there had been no news so far, other than to say his brother was on the yacht.

He added that his nephew was in Sicily and was keeping the family updated.

The Bayesian sank after a storm off the coast of Sicily on Monday

“We’re just terribly sad for the family. We’re coping the best we can, and we’re all just supporting each other,” he said.

“He was my elder by half an hour, so, it means a lot when you lose a twin brother.

“We’ll still wait and see, so it’s fingers crossed.”

Mr Bloomer said he felt numb, and was still finding it difficult to process what had happened.