Missing Titanic Submersible Experienced 'Catastrophic Implosion’, all five aboard dead

OceanGate/Handout via Getty Images

In a statement on Thursday, June 22, the U.S. Coast Guard revealed their belief that the five passengers who vanished during their daring expedition to explore the Titanic shipwreck met a tragic fate, likely caused by a devastating implosion of their vessel.

"The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families," U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters. " On behalf of the U.S Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families."

Just hours after the USCG notified the public about the discovery made by a robotic vehicle, the announcement was made.

"A debris field was discovered within the search area by an ROV [remotely operated vehicle] near the Titanic," the USCG said just before noon. Experts were evaluating the information.

Before noon, the USCG reported the discovery of a debris field near the Titanic within the designated search area, which was identified by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Experts were in the process of evaluating the information.

"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 said in a statement. "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time."

The five occupants of the Titan: Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Suleman Dawood, and the Titan. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters; Courtesy of Jannicke Mikkelsen via Reuters; Courtesy of Engro Corporation Limited via Reuters; J. Sagat/AFP via Getty Images; Courtesy of Engro Corporation Limited via Reuters; OceanGate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Early on Sunday morning, the Titan, which is operated by OceanGate, a private exploration company headquartered in Everett, Washington, embarked on a journey to explore the Titanic wreckage. On board were five passengers: Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, aged 61; Hamish Harding, a 58-year-old British billionaire, and explorer; Shahzada Dawood, a 48-year-old Pakistani businessman, accompanied by his 19-year-old son, Suleman; and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a 77-year-old French explorer.

During the expedition, the Polar Prince, a Canadian research vessel and support ship, lost communication with the submersible approximately one hour and forty-five minutes after its launch. On Sunday evening, OceanGate reported the Titan as missing, triggering a large-scale international search operation. The U.S. Coast Guard led the efforts, with assistance from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Air National Guard, Royal Canadian Navy, and Canadian Coast Guard.

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