Authorities believe she panicked and jumped overboard after a large wave knocked the skipper off a 12m RIB
The closing weekend of this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival was overshadowed by news of a fatal accident on Saturday night (September 12).
Local authorities have confirmed that a 30-year-old Serbian journalist was killed instantly when she jumped off a 12m RIB during a sea trial at around 1900.
It is believed that she panicked and jumped into the sea after a large wave had thrown the skipper and another passenger overboard.
The authorities add that the RIB’s killcord was not being used at the time of the incident.
The two men involved escaped unharmed, including the boat’s owner and a second Serbian journalist, but the woman was killed instantly, most likely due to lacerations caused by the boat’s propellers.
Saint Raphael maritime police and Cannes police have launched a joint investigation, adding that they intend to study video evidence of the incident.
Local reports suggest that the vessel involved was a Cantieri Magazzù MX-12 Grand Sport (pictured above), which was unveiled last week at the Cannes Yachting Festival, although this has not yet been confirmed.
At the time of writing, Cantieri Magazzù was not available for comment.
