The family of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, who tragically lost their lives when their yacht sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday, have spoken of their overwhelming grief and shock. The final body recovered from the wreckage of the Bayesian yacht on Friday is believed to be that of 18-year-old Hannah.

In a statement, the family expressed their "unspeakable grief" and shared their appreciation for the efforts of the Italian coastguard, emergency services, and everyone involved in the rescue. They added, "Their thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy."

Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the sinking, which claimed the lives of seven people, including Mike and Hannah Lynch.

Mike Lynch, a renowned pioneer in artificial intelligence, was remembered by his close friend Andrew Kanter, who described him as "the most brilliant mind and caring person I have ever known." Kanter added, "His passion for life, knowledge, and those around him was instantly inspiring, and he will be deeply missed."

Hannah, who had recently completed her A-levels and secured a place to study English at the University of Oxford, was described by her classmate Gracie Lea as "sincere, dedicated, fiercely intelligent, and genuinely kind." Her school, Latymer Upper in west London, also released a statement, saying, "We are all incredibly shocked by the news, and our thoughts are with the family and everyone involved."

Among the other victims of the disaster were Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife Judy, who was a charity trustee. The Bloomer family described them as "incredible people and an inspiration to many."

Other victims included Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda Morvillo, and the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas. Of the 15 survivors, one was a one-year-old child, while Angela Bacares, Hannah Lynch’s mother, was also among those rescued.

Italian authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking. In such cases, a broad investigation is usually launched, examining potential criminal charges. Italian police have confirmed that while an inquiry is ongoing, no charges have been filed at this time.

James Cutfield, the yacht's captain, along with eight surviving crew members and passengers, have been questioned by the Coast Guard as part of the investigation.

Rescuers described the search and recovery effort as "complex," with divers working in 12-minute intervals due to the depth of the wreckage. Italian firefighters explained that it had been "five days of long and delicate operations in the sea, at a depth of approximately 50 meters (164 feet)."

Following the recovery of the final body, a coastguard vessel was seen returning to port after hours at the wreckage site. Divers were spotted removing their orange suits on the quayside, while a helicopter landed nearby.

A spokesperson for the Italian Coastguard stated that a decision on whether to raise the sunken yacht has not yet been made but is expected to be considered in the future. According to the divers involved in the search, the ship remains "practically intact" on the seabed.

Prosecutors are expected to hold a press conference on Saturday morning to provide further details about the incident.