An unfortunate and definitive update regarding the missing OceanGate Titan has emerged. The debris discovered this afternoon has been determined to be consistent with the “catastrophic loss” of the submersible’s pressure chamber.
According to a press statement from the Coast Guard, the five passengers aboard the submarine have tragically perished. Immediate notifications were sent to their families, accompanied by heartfelt condolences. The passengers were identified as British businessman Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his teenage son Sulaiman.
Earlier today, the Coast Guard confirmed the detection of a field of debris on the ocean floor near the wreck of the RMS Titanic, the intended destination of the submersible. Rear Adm John Mauger informed reporters that the Titan’s tail cone, approximately 1,600 feet from the Titanic’s bow, was discovered by a remotely operated vehicle from Horizon Arctic.
Just before the press conference, OceanGate issued a statement confirming the unfortunate loss of the five passengers. According to BBC, the statement read, “These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.”
“Our dedicated employees are deeply saddened and grieving over this loss. We express our profound gratitude to the numerous individuals from various international organizations who collaborated and worked tirelessly on this mission,” the statement added.
The passengers had paid $250,000 for an eight-day expedition to the RMS Titanic wreck, raising concerns about the operation’s safety in the past. The submersible was reported missing on Sunday when it ceased communication and failed to resurface as scheduled. The circumstances surrounding its disappearance remain unclear. With only 96 hours of oxygen on board, an urgent search-and-rescue operation was launched.
Assuming the submersible was still operational, this morning would have marked the depletion of the passengers’ oxygen supply. A crew reportedly heard banging noises every 30 minutes in the vicinity where the submersible vanished, although the Coast Guard stated that these sounds were unrelated to the discovery.
We extend our condolences and pray for the repose of everyone aboard the Titan. Our thoughts are with their families and friends, and we hope this tragic update brings them some measure of closure.
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