The US Guard has confirmed that all five passengers onboard the Titan submersible have died after debris was found near the wreckage of the Titanic.
According to the US Coast guard, the vessel which disappeared in a remote area of the North Atlantic Ocean, is believed to have suffered a “catastrophic implosion”.
All of the passengers’ families have been notified.
The blast was believed to have been heard by a secret US Navy acoustic system early into the vessel’s decent.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with the nation’s breaking news as it hits.
A massive search was established for the missing vessel, with OceanGate revealed the submersible had 96 hours of emergency oxygen onboard.
The US Coast Guard lost contact with Titan an hour and a half into the trip. The US Coast Guard believes this is likely the time of the implosion.
The people onboard included OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding, businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman and French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet.
OceanGate addressed the tragedy in a statement to the public.
These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans.
OceanGate
“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.”
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on Listnr today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.