The US Coast Guard and OceanGate, the vessel’s operator, have announced that the five passengers aboard the Titanic submersible, including Dubai-based billionaire Hamish Harding, are presumed dead.
In their statement, OceanGate announced, “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.” No specific details were provided about how the tragic conclusion was reached.
The statement further lauded the men as true explorers with a deep passion for ocean exploration and conservation. The company expressed profound grief for the loss of life and the sorrow this tragedy has brought to the victims’ families.
Evidence of ‘Catastrophic Loss’
At a press briefing held on Thursday, the US Coast Guard revealed that debris discovered from the submersible indicates a ‘catastrophic loss’. “In consultation with experts from the unified command, the debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of (Titan’s) pressure chamber,” said Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander.
As soon as these findings were established, the families of the victims were immediately informed. Mauger extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
In response to inquiries about the possibility of body recovery, Mauger could not confirm whether such an operation would be feasible due to the incredibly unforgiving environment at the depth where the submersible was lost.
Summary
- The US Coast Guard and OceanGate have announced the presumed death of all five passengers aboard the Titanic submersible.
- The passengers included CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
- Debris consistent with the catastrophic loss of the submersible’s pressure chamber has been found.
- The challenging underwater environment may hinder any possible recovery of the bodies.
