One person has died and six others are missing after a luxury yacht was hit by a tornado off the coast of Sicily at dawn on Monday, Italian media reported.

The 160ft UK-flagged luxury yacht sank suddenly off the coast of Palermo with 22 on board, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.

Fifteen have so far been rescued and taken to hospital in the Sicilian city, including a one-year-old child who was taken to Palermo Children’s Hospital.

Two Americans, four Britons and a Canadian were initially missing after the tragedy, which occurred between 04:30 and 05:00 local time.

The body of a man, the only passenger confirmed dead, was recovered next to the sunken yacht, ANSA reported. His identity was not immediately released.

The yacht’s cook is the only crew member among the missing, ANSA added.

This latest news article will be updated.

Yacht hit by tornado map
The sailboat is said to have been found about half a mile off the Sicilian coast near Porticello.

DataWrapper