Titan Sub underwent ‘catastrophic implosion’… All 5 passengers died instantly.

via independent.co.uk:

The five crew members on board the missing submersible Titan died in a “catastrophic implosion”, the US Coast Guard has confirmed.

Oceangate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were on board the Titan when it lost communications with a support ship less than two hours into a 4,000m dive to the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) located pieces of debris from the Titan on the seabed about 500m from the bow of the Titanic wreck on Thursday morning Rear Admiral John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, told a press briefing.

The debris was analysed and confirmed to belong to the Titan, and family members were informed there had been no survivors.

The bodies of the five deceased crew members may never be found, Admiral Mauger added.

via cbsnews:

BOSTON – Debris found near the Titanic on Thursday indicates the missing submersible that was on a voyage to explore the wreckage suffered a “catastrophic implosion,” the Coast Guard said, killing all five people on board.

A remote operated vehicle (ROV) found five major pieces of debris from the submersible about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, the Coast Guard said.

“The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber,” Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said. He said it’s not yet clear when the implosion took place.

The family of those on board were immediately notified about the discovery, Mauger said.

“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,” Titan sub operator OceanGate said in a statement. “These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.”

Mauger said it’s unclear now if the victims can be recovered.