A yacht carrying 22 people, including one Irish person, off the coast of Sicily has sunk – leaving six missing and one dead. 

Fifteen people were rescued from the yacht, which capsized near Palermo around 5am this morning. 

Six people are missing, and one person is understood to have died. 

The yacht was reportedly carrying at least one Irish citizen, according to Italian authorities. 

It is not believed any of the missing passengers are Irish.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the situation and is providing consular assistance. 

The British-flagged superyacht, named Bayesian, was anchored off the coast of Porticello. 

The boat is understood to have capsized due to bad weather conditions. 

According to the Italian Coast Guard the missing people - including one crew member - were British, American and Canadian.

Searches are underway with four Coast Guard vessels, a helicopter and the local fire brigade. 

Among the 15 rescued eight have been brought to local hospitals.

An investigation has been launched to examine “the exact dynamics of the shipwreck”, according to the Italian Coast Guard.