In a tragic turn of events, the submersible bound for the Titanic, which had gone missing with five individuals on board, suffered a devastating collapse, resulting in the loss of all lives, announced Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard on June 22, 2023.
Debris from the missing submersible, including the tail cone, was discovered approximately 1,600 feet away from the Titanic's bow.
Mauger, the commander of the First Coast Guard District, stated to reporters that the wreckage indicated a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, emphasizing the harsh and unforgiving environment of the ocean floor.
The families of the victims were promptly informed, with Mauger expressing his hope that the discovery would offer some solace during this difficult time.
The ill-fated Titan began its descent on June 18, aiming to explore the depths of the Titanic wreck located around 13,000 feet beneath the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean.
The expedition, advertised as an extraordinary opportunity to venture beyond ordinary life, cost each participant $250,000.
Unfortunately, contact with the submersible was lost approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, and it failed to resurface as scheduled.
Efforts to establish communication have been fruitless since then.
The Titan carried OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush, along with British businessman Harding, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, and French diver Nargeolet, according to family members and social media posts.
However, the official confirmation of those on board has not been publicly released.
Just moments before the news conference, OceanGate Expeditions, the company operating the submersible, released a statement declaring their belief that the five men on board had tragically lost their lives.
The statement honored the explorers' adventurous spirit, their commitment to ocean exploration and preservation, and extended condolences to their families.
Earlier on Thursday, the US Coast Guard announced the discovery of a debris field near the Titanic, believed to be remnants of the submersible's external body.
The debris was found on the ocean floor, roughly 500 meters away from the Titanic's bow.
The search for the Titan has entered a critical phase, as stated by the co-founder of the company operating the submersible. Pelagic Research Services, utilizing a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) or sea drone, was the first to locate the debris field during the search on the ocean floor.
This development coincides with the enduring fascination surrounding the Titanic's wreckage, even after more than a century since its tragic sinking, claiming the lives of over 1,500 people on its maiden voyage.
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