From top-left British billionaire Hamish Harding; French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet; Founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush; Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman. Photo:AFP/AP/REUTERS
The US Coast Guard, Rear admiral Mauger has confirmed all five passengers on board the Titan submersible dead.
He said that five pieces of the ship were discovered about 1600 feet from the crash of the Titanic.
Rear Admiral Mauger however could not confirm whether or not the US Coast Guard would be able to locate the victims’ bodies.
While Offering the Coast Guard’s deepest condolences to the families, he said it will continue to investigate the site of the debris field.
Earlier, the vessel operator OceanGate said, “Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time”
Two of the five men on board; British businessman Hamish Harding and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, are members of the US-based Explorer’s Club.
The submersible went missing in a remote area of the North Atlantic on Sunday June 18, with a four-day oxygen supply for its crew of five.
Writing Hadiza Abdulrahman; Editing by Annabel Nwachukwu