In a devastating turn of events, the missing Titanic submersible has met its fate with a “catastrophic implosion,” as stated by OceanGate. The five passengers aboard are now believed to have perished in the incident.
On Sunday (18 June), the submersible lost all contact with its mothership during an exploration mission to the Titanic wreckage. According to US Coast Guard officials, there was an estimated 96-hour oxygen supply on board at the time of the vessel’s disappearance. They predict that the passengers would have depleted their oxygen reserves around 1 pm BST today (22 June).
In a solemn announcement, OceanGate confirmed the tragedy: “Regrettably, we have come to the conclusion that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet have all been lost.”
“These individuals were remarkable adventurers who exemplified a unique spirit of exploration and held a profound commitment to the exploration and preservation of our planet’s oceans,” the statement continued.
“Our hearts go out to these five souls and their families, who are enduring immeasurable grief during this tragic time. We mourn the loss of their lives and the joy they brought to all who knew them.”
“Our exhausted and grieving employees are deeply affected by this loss. The entire OceanGate family is profoundly grateful for the tireless efforts of the numerous men and women from various international organizations who pooled their resources and worked tirelessly to aid our crew and their families.”
“We extend our gratitude to these dedicated individuals who were committed to locating our five explorers, spending countless days and nights in support of our mission. As the explorer community and the families of the deceased navigate through this mournful period, we kindly request that their privacy be respected.”
During a press conference held in Boston on Thursday (22 June), Rear Admiral John Mauger confirmed the discovery of the tail cone of the missing Titan submersible near the Titanic wreckage. He stated, “This morning, the Horizon Arctic vessel’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) found the tail cone of the Titan submersible approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, resting on the sea floor.”
“The ROV subsequently uncovered additional debris,” Mauger added.
“In consultation with experts from our unified command, the wreckage appears consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately informed the families.”
“On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. I can only begin to comprehend the anguish they are experiencing. It is my hope that this discovery provides some solace during this difficult period.”
Mauger further remarked, “The sea floor is an exceedingly unforgiving environment, and the debris discovered aligns with the hypothesis of a catastrophic implosion of the vessel. While we will persist in our search efforts, I cannot provide any definitive prospects at this time.”
RIP.
