The United States Coast Guard announced on Thursday June 22 that a “debris field” has been discovered at the seafloor, indicating a catastrophic implosion of the submersible involved in the mission to survey the wreckage of the Titanic. The submersible disappeared on Sunday during its deep-sea expedition, approximately 900 nautical miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
According to a senior U.S. Navy official, a distressing sound, resembling an implosion, was detected shortly after the submersible lost all communications. While the sound was not conclusively identified, it is consistent with the devastating collapse of the vessel. The Coast Guard, along with other agencies, swiftly initiated search and rescue operations to locate any survivors or potential wreckage.
The missing submersible was part of an expedition led by OceanGate Expeditions, headed by Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company. The mission attracted high-profile individuals, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, owner of Action Aviation, renowned French dive expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and prominent Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.
The expedition aimed to explore and document the remains of the historic RMS Titanic, which sank in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg. Despite its immense depth and challenging conditions, previous missions had successfully surveyed the wreckage, shedding light on the tragic events that unfolded over a century ago.
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The Coast Guard has not yet provided details regarding the size or precise location of the debris field, however, information gathered so far suggests the individuals aboard the ill-fated submersible may have lost their lives.
The White House offered its condolences to the families mourning the five people killed aboard the Titan submersible.
U.S. Coast Guard officials announced their deaths Thursday following the vessel’s catastrophic implosion in the North Atlantic.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan,” the White House said in a statement. “They have been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.”
The statement also thanked the searchers, including the Coast Guard, involved in the international effort to find the submersible.
“This has been a testament to the skill and professionalism that the men and women who serve our nation continue to demonstrate every single day,” the statement said.
