The site of theTitanicis the center of another tragedy, more than 110 years after theoriginalRMS Titanicsank into the ocean.
On June 19, the U.S. Coast Guard of Boston announced that a submersible called theTitancarrying passengers to the underwater site of the sunkenTitanicship had gone missing.
The excursion was part of OceanGate Expeditions, a company thathosts a “Titanic Expedition” to the historic site.
Alamy Stock Photo
Here’s everything to know about the tragedy.
When did theTitansubmersible go missing?
Per the First Coast Guard District’s official Twitter account, the crew submerged Sunday morning, June 18, and “the crew of the Polar Prince lost contact with them approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the vessel’s dive.”The Coast Guard addedthat the submersible was lost in an area about 900 miles east of Cape Cod in the North Atlantic.
News of the missing submersible was announced on June 19 as Lt. Jordan Hart of the U.S. Coast Guard in Bostonconfirmed to CBS Newsthat personnel were “currently undergoing a search and rescue operation.” Rear Admiral John Mauger detailed more information at a news conference that Monday afternoon.
Who were the passengers on theTitansubmersible?
During the press conference held on June 19, Mauger confirmedthere were five passengers on board, including an operator and four mission specialists.
Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawoodwere both “on a journeyto visit the remnants of theTitanicin the Atlantic Ocean” when the vessel went missing, their family said in a statement to the BBC.
British businessmanHamish Hardingwas also on board as he previously shared on Instagram on June 17 that he would be a part of the trip.
French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, who has decades of experience exploring theTitanic, was also on board.
OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush was also among the five passengers aboard the submersible.
What happened to theTitansubmersible?
Officials shared that they conducted an aerial search and that sonar buoys have been dropped into the sea to try and track any noise underwater.
However, shortly afterthe sub ran out of breathing air supplyon June 22, Pelagic Research Services confirmed toCNNthat its remote-operated vehicle (ROV), found debris from theTitan.
In a press conference held that same day, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that an ROV discovered debris 1,600 feet from the bough of the tailbone of theTitanicwreckage on the sea floor. The U.S. Coast Guard said that “the debris field is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel,” meaning that it would have been a quick implosion with no possible survival.
Has OceanGate released a statement about theTitansubmersible?
OceanGate Expeditions, a company thathosts a “Titanic Expedition” to the historic site, confirmed their submersible was part of the search and rescue shortly after it went missing.
“Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families,” said OceanGate, adding that it was “deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible.”
On June 22, the company released a statement to PEOPLE announcing that the five people on board the missing submersible are believed to have died.
“We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost,” the company said in a statement.
“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,” the statement continued.
source: people.com
