A vicar in Kent has expressed his sense of shock after learning two regular attendees of his church are missing after a yacht sank off the coast of Sicily.

The Bayesian yacht was carrying 22 people when a heavy and sudden storm that created waterspouts caused the luxury yacht to capsize on Monday.

Fifteen people were rescued and there’s an ongoing search operation for those missing, which include Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, from Knockholt, Kent, who regularly attended St Katharine's Church in the village.

Speaking to BBC South-East, the church’s vicar Rev Tim Edwards said: "I'm not going to say much about how the rest of the family feel - but I think they'd say similar to what I'd say now about that sense of shock.

"This is really impossible news to take onboard."

He added that the family had been regulars on and off at the church "for some time".

Tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah are also missing.

The Italian Coastguard has not ruled out the possibility that the missing individuals may still be alive. Experts suggest that air pockets could have formed as the yacht sank, potentially giving hope for their survival.