Boat capsizing on Lake Maggiore kills agents in Italy

The boating accident on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy on Sunday left four people dead, including two Italian intelligence officers and a retired Israeli security services member, according to local authorities.

Claudio Alonzi, 62, and Tiziana Barnobi, 53, were identified as Italians. Shimoni Erez, a 50-year-old Israeli, was named. The boat’s captain’s wife, Anya Bozhkova, a 50-year-old Russian, also passed away.

Strong winds caused the boat, which was carrying more than 20 visitors, to sink.

When a storm formed over the lake and eventually intensified into a “small hurricane,” the boat was reportedly carrying approximately 25 people who were celebrating a birthday.

Between the cities of Sesto Calende and Arona on Sunday night, the 16-meter (52-foot) long boat capsized and sank. All of the people on board fell into the water, but several of them swam ashore or were saved by other vessels. At the southern end of the lake, rescue divers, a helicopter, and numerous ambulances, as well as an air ambulance, sprung into action to assist with the search.

Firefighters posted a video of chairs and other debris floating in rough waters. Five patients were transported to a hospital.

Italy and Switzerland share Lake Maggiore, which lies on the southern slope of the Alps, and it is a well-liked tourist attraction. The area has recently had bad weather, with thunderstorm warnings being issued by Italy’s meteorological office.

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