The background is that a Canadian-flagged vessel towed the Titan to the place of descent, where it later lost contact with the mini-sub. The Canadian National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
The US Navy, using an acoustic surveillance system, has found an “anomaly” that was likely the implosion of Titan, according to a defense source.
Five people died in the incident.
The Navy analyzed acoustic data after the submersible was reported missing on Sunday. The anomaly is consistent with an explosion or implosion near where the craft plunged when communications were lost.
“Catastrophic Implosion”
The information was shared with the US Coast Guard, who decided to continue the search mission. On Thursday, the wreckage from the craft was found on the seabed, barely 500 meters from the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic.
Among the five victims are Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman who are family members of the Dawood dynasty that owns an industrial empire in Pakistan.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood,” the family writes in a press release.
“We are truly grateful to all those involved in the rescue operations. Their tireless efforts have been a source of strength for us during this time.”
The search continues
Ocean Gate, the company behind the submarine expedition, wrote in a statement: “These men were true explorers who shared a spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans.”
Salvage work and the search for remains continue.
The wreckage was scattered on the bottom, with five large pieces being of particular help to the Coast Guard in identifying them as belonging to the lost mini-sub.
“We will continue to document the information on the scene, and understand the timeline based on all the information we have,” John Mauger, rear admiral of the Coast Guard, said in Boston on Thursday.
IMAGE: The US Coast Guard flies over a French research vessel during the search for the missing submarine. Archive image. US Coast Guard/AP/TT