In a race against time to recover a 22-foot submersible carrying five men on a voyage to explore the Titanic, search and rescue teams made a grim discovery on Thursday morning.

Outer parts of the Titan, located near the Titanic wreckage site, were found. OceanGate, the leading company behind the mission, confirmed the tragic news that the men on board had perished.

In a heartfelt statement, OceanGate expressed deep sorrow for the entire explorer community and extended condolences to the families affected by this tragic loss at sea, USA Today reported.

The debris uncovered on the ocean floor, approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, exhibited signs indicative of a catastrophic failure in the submersible’s pressure chamber, according to Rear Admiral John Mauger of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Written by staff