A luxury yacht carrying 22 people sank off the coast of Sicily, near the city of Palermo, Italy on Monday, leaving one dead and six missing.

The yacht, which was flying the British flag, reportedly capsized due to severe weather conditions, including a hurricane and rough seas. Italy’s Health and Safety Department confirmed that 15 people, including a child, have been rescued.

It was initially reported that 7 people went missing; however, one body, believed to be a man's, was found later at about fifty meters below the surface of the wreck.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the remaining six missing individuals. (ILKHA)