The OceanGate Expeditions Company has confirmed the death of those aboard the missing Titanic submarine, which was on a recreational trip to the wreck of the historic Titanic in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.
The cruise operator Ocean Gate, whose founders were also aboard the Titan submarine, said in a statement: ‘We believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul Henry, lost.’
This statement was preceded by confirmation from the US Coast Guard that during the search for the missing submarine Titan, some wreckage was found near the Titanic on the sea floor.
David Mearns, a friend of the Titan passengers and a diving expert, told the BBC that the wreckage included the Titan’s landing frame.
In a statement released by the OceanGate Expeditions Company, it expressed regret for the loss of passengers and thanked the international community for providing assistance in the rescue efforts.
US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said at a press conference that the tail of the Titan submarine was found about 1,600 feet from the wreckage of the Titanic on Thursday morning.
He said that more debris was also discovered during the search.
It may be recalled that the submarine, which was taken on a recreational trip to the wreck of the Titanic, was missing since Sunday, after which a search was launched.
In search, two drones reached the bottom of the sea, while an aircraft of the British Royal Army also joined the operation at this point. Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft, ships, and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) also took part in the search.
According to the US Coast Guard, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) will remain on the ocean floor and try to gather more information.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard said that the rescue teams involved in the search for the submarine heard sounds, after which the scope of the search operation was widened.
But Capt. Jamie Frederick said Wednesday that it was not known what the noises were.
According to experts, the environment and conditions under the sea, where the Titan submarine went, are as harsh and difficult as the outer space of the Earth.
Because the part of the ocean where the Titanic wreck lies is called the ‘Midnight Zone’ because of the freezing temperatures and pitch darkness.
