Seven people remain missing after a boat carrying 22 passengers sank off the Sicilian coast, according to Italian authorities.

Italy’s coastguard and firefighters brought 15 people to safety on Monday after the 50-metre (164-foot) sailboat capsized at about 5am (03:00 GMT) due to rough winds and choppy waters.

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Luca Cari, a spokesman for the Italian fire rescue service, told The Associated Press news agency that seven people are still unaccounted for after the disaster off the Sicilian city of Palermo.

The boat was carrying two Anglo-French citizens, an Irish national, a New Zealander and a Sri Lankan, Italian news agency Adnkronos reported. The rest were British.

A child was among those rescued. All 15 are in stable condition, Adnkronos said.

Fire department divers are continuing to scour areas around the boat, which was flying a British flag. Helicopters are also aiding in rescue efforts, Cari said.

The British foreign ministry had no immediate comment.

Italy’s ANSA news agency said the boat, named “Bajesian”, had been moored in the port at Porticello and had set sail on Sunday evening.

This is a developing story. We will bring you more details as they come.