150-foot, $24M superyacht goes up in flames with several passengers and crew onboard
FORMENTERA, SPAIN: In a shocking incident, a superyacht worth $24 million (£20 million) burst into flames while several passengers and crew were onboard. The 150ft vessel Aria SF is reportedly owned by an Italian business magnate named Paolo Scudieri, who bought it recently. The tragedy happened on Thursday afternoon, August 11, in Cala Saona, on the west coast of the Mediterranean isle of Formentera.
Although nine riders and seven staff members were inside when the fire began, they did not suffer any injuries. Two Spanish coast guard vessels saved their lives, as reported by The Daily Mail. The publication quoted the Spanish Coastguard Service’s spokesman, saying: “Seven crew and nine passengers are all safe. They were evacuated onto a police boat. The fire is now almost out.”
RELATED ARTICLES
Mia Khalifa's luxury Miami cruise almost turns into disaster after CREEPY stalkers follow in tow
How much does it cost to charter Parsifal III? All about 'Below Deck' sailing yacht
“Two Coastguard vessels, Salvamar Acrux and Guardamar Concepcion Arenal were mobilized by our coordination center in Palma in Majorca after the alarm was raised around 5 pm yesterday/on Thursday,” they added. However, it is not confirmed yet if Scudieri was also there at the scene when the fire broke out, which was so dangerous and huge to be easily seen from another island — Ibiza.
As per reports, Aria SF included five bedrooms, a gym, and a swimming pool. Also, the plan was to launch it officially at the Cannes Yachting Festival, which will happen from 6 to 11 September 2022. After the fire, the yacht was apparently taken to Ibiza with the help of a Coastguard vessel, and a probe began.
A video of the incident has been shared on Twitter too. The caption tagged along says, “Paolo Scudieri's 45 meter long Aria SF yacht is on fire in Formentera. It is a luxury boat valued at more than 20 million € and released this year.”
El yate Aria SF de 45 metros de eslora de Paolo Scudieri está ardiendo en Formentera. Es una embarcación de lujo valorada en más de 20 millones de € y estrenada este año.https://t.co/tXrLbUOvhP pic.twitter.com/NnItNn4yjQ
— NIPORWIFI © (@niporwifi) August 11, 2022
Meanwhile, it has been said that Scudieri, to whom the yacht belonged, is also the chairman of Gruppo Addler — a company that makes car interior elements. The firm was founded in 1956 by the Naples-born industrialist’s father, Achille. As per the Daily Mail report, Gruppo Addler “designs and manufactures acoustic and thermal components for the automotive industry.”
The company reportedly employs over 15,000 employees in more than 20 nations, and its turnover is approximately $1.21 billion (£1billion). In an interview, he spoke about his first meeting with Italian race car driver, Enzo Ferrari. He said: “I was 20 years old, already a big fan of Enzo Ferrari, and I sent him a birthday card. I found his answer with an invitation set for the following morning at 8.30”
“I didn’t think twice, I immediately got in the car and against the will of my mother, I drove all night to be punctual the next morning in front of my idol. I never thought that in a few years I would become their supplier,” the father-of-four added.
Besides, Scudieri’s net worth is evaluated to be around $500m. Apart from being the chairman of his family firm, he is also the Principality of Monaco's tourism ambassador. Not just that, the 62-year-old has expanded his foot in the food industry too as he owns Excellence Campane — under which Italy’s multiple shops and restaurants come.