A $33 million superyacht named Da Vinci was completely destroyed after catching fire off the coast of Spain on Monday, August 11.
The blaze started around 10:30 a.m. near the island of Formentera. Thick black smoke rose into the sky as flames quickly spread across the yacht. Within minutes, all seven people on board — four guests, two crew members, and the captain — were forced to evacuate. Despite rescue efforts, the yacht eventually sank.
No One Hurt in the Incident
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Passengers were rescued by the ferry Ramón Llull, which changed its route to help, along with Spanish maritime rescue ships Guardamar Concepción Arenal and Salvamar Naos. Firefighters also responded, but the flames could not be contained. The yacht sank while being towed to shore.
Eyewitness Account
“Suddenly we saw the flames and tried to put them out with fire extinguishers,” one passenger told Formentera News. “But it was impossible. We called for help, and thankfully everyone is safe. It all happened in just a few minutes, and we were terrified.”
About the Yacht and Its Owner
Reports say the yacht belonged to Vincent Tchenguiz, an Iranian-born British businessman. Built in 2017 by the Italian shipyard Overmarine, Da Vinci was designed by Stefano Righini and featured top-tier luxury amenities for cruising. It was considered one of the highlights of Tchenguiz’s private fleet.
Who Is Vincent Tchenguiz?
Born in Tehran, Iran, in 1956 to an Iraqi-Jewish family, Tchenguiz moved to England after the 1979 Iranian revolution. He studied at Boston University, McGill University, and New York University, earning degrees in commerce, economics, and business administration.
He began his career in London’s finance industry, working at Prudential Bache and Shearson Lehman Brothers before starting a commercial property business with his brother. Today, he runs Consensus Business Group, which advises on billions of dollars in investments in real estate, healthcare, clean technology, and other sectors.
