Italian media reported that a 50-metre sailing boat with 22 people aboard sank early Monday morning off the coast Palermo in Sicily. Seven people remain missing.

The Italian Coast Guard and firefighters saved 15 people including a young child after a boat flying the British flag sank in rough seas and a whirlwind at dawn.

Adnkronos, the news agency, reported that two Anglo-French nationals, an Irish citizen, a New Zealander, and a Sri Lankan were aboard, with the remainder being British.

Adnkronos reported that all 15 of the rescued people are in stable conditions.

Divers of the fire department continue to search around the vessel. It is now located at a depth around 50 meters and a half mile from the coast.

The British Foreign Ministry did not respond immediately to a comment request.

(source: Reuters)