The OceanGate Titan
Eko Hot Blog reports that the five passengers on board the missing Titan submersible are believed to be dead, according to the vessel’s operator, OceanGate Expeditions.
In a statement, the company said the five men were “true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure.”
The US Coast Guard said that a debris field was discovered near the wreck of the Titanic earlier on Thursday morning.
The men on board the sub included Stockton Rush, the 61-year-old CEO of OceanGate, as well as British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, his son Suleman, 19, and British businessman Hamish Harding, 58.
The fifth man on board, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, was a 77-year-old former French navy diver and renowned explorer.
At a press conference on Thursday, Rear Adm John Mauger of the US Coast Guard said that the debris is believed to be consistent with the Titan submersible, suggesting that it imploded.
The OceanGate Titan submersible
“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,” OceanGate said.
“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.
“This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss. The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organisations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission.”
The last image of the Titanic submersible before it went missing on Sunday
The US Coast Guard also offered the “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims.
“On behalf of the US Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families,” Rear Admiral Mauger said.
“I can only imagine what this has been like for them.
“Additionally, we have been in close contact with the French and British consuls general to ensure that they are fully apprised and that their concerns are being fully addressed.
“The outpouring of support during this highly complex search operation has been robust and immensely appreciated.”
Meanwhile, Officials said five major pieces were detected amid the debris around the Titanic site.
The vessel disappeared on Sunday.
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