The body of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been recovered from the wreckage of a superyacht off the coast of Sicily.

The Italian coastguard confirmed Mr Lynch’s body had been recovered by rescue crews, along with four others.

Massimo Mariani, an interior ministry official, told Reuters Mr Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah is still missing.

He said she may be inside the wreck or could have been tossed into the sea as the boat sank.

The identities of the other bodies recovered from the wreckage have not been officially confirmed.

Others reported missing from the yacht include the chairman of Morgan Stanley International, Jonathan Bloomer, Mr Bloomer’s wife Judy, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife, Neda Morvillo.

The Bayesian, a 56-metre British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early on Monday as it was moored about a kilometre offshore.

Civil protection officials said they believe the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly.

Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived, including Mr Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter, Sofia.

Ms Golunski’s husband James Emslie and New Zealand captain of the yacht James Catfield also survived.

Divers have struggled to find the bodies.

“We would need a crystal ball to know when we’ll be able to find the next body,” said Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service.

“It’s very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one metre can take up to 24 hours,” he added.

AP