Mike Lynch and six others were killed 10 days ago when his yacht sank near the coast of Sicily. The captain of the yacht, Mike Lynch, flew out from Palermo.

James Cutfield, a New Zealander, left the capital of Sicily on a private plane, according to a source in the investigation. The destination was not revealed. Cutfield, who is a New Zealander and lives in Palma, on the Spanish island Mallorca, with his wife, was reported to have left Sicilian capital aboard a private jet. The destination of the flight, however, remains unknown.

Cutfield, who was placed under investigation earlier this week for manslaughter as well as shipwreck, refused to answer any questions from prosecutors.

On Wednesday, two other crew members came under investigation. Investigation does not necessarily imply guilt or that formal charges will be filed.

The investigation is not a requirement for those facing it, but they must nominate an attorney so the authorities can stay in touch with them.

The British-flagged Bayesian (a 56-metre long (184-foot-long) yacht), capsized and went under on August 19 minutes after being hit by an early morning storm off the northern coast of Sicily.

Experts in naval marine have been puzzled by the sinking. They said that a vessel such as the Bayesian built by Italian luxury yacht builder Perini should have survived the storm, and should, in any event, not have sunk so quickly. Reporting by Wladimiro Pantalone; Writing and Editing by Alvise Armellini and Helen Popper

(source: Reuters)