Tragic yacht disaster off Sicily: Heroic mother's fight to save daughter

Since yesterday, Italian media have been reporting on the tragedy off the coast of Palermo. A waterspout appeared over Sicily and struck the 184-foot yacht owned by Michael Lynch, one of the wealthiest Britons for years. There were 12 partygoers and 10 crew members on board. Unfortunately, the body of one man has already been found.

Off the coast of Sicily, where the collision with the waterspout occurred early Monday morning, the rescue operation is still ongoing. Six people are still missing, while 15 others have been rescued. Among them are Charlotte Golunski from Great Britain, her husband, and their one-year-old daughter, Sofia.

Charlotte, a participant in the event organized to celebrate Michael Lynch's exoneration from allegations of intentionally inflating his company's value, emphasized in an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" that she lived through an absolute horror. She fought with all her might to save the life of her child, who fell out of her hands.

For two seconds, I lost my daughter in the sea; then I immediately hugged her among the choppy waves. I kept her on the surface with all my strength so she wouldn't drown. It was dark all around. I couldn't keep my eyes open in the water. I called for help, but all I could hear were the screams of others - Charlotte Golunski reported.

Sofia is currently in the pediatric ward of a hospital in Palermo. Her health is not in danger. Meanwhile, the 36-year-old mother, whom the media call a "hero," is undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury. Together with her husband, they are constantly watching over their daughter.

Charlotte Golunski also mentioned that they survived only because they managed to get out of the cabin when the violent storm hit. The yacht sank in just a few minutes.