Frantic searches to locate a missing submarine that went off the radar off the coast of southeastern Canada while taking tourists to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. As per the US Coast Guard, the submersible one pilot and four passengers were on board the submersible that could be submerged for 96 hours, but it was unclear whether it was still underwater or had surfaced and was unable to communicate. "It is a remote area and it is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area," U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters on Monday, stated Reuters.
OceanGate Expeditions, the private company that operates the vessel said in a statement on Monday that it was "mobilising all options" to rescue those on board.
Here are the top five developments so far.
- US and Canadian ships have swarmed the area about 1,450 kilometres east of Cape Cod, some dropping sonar buoys that can monitor to a depth of 13,000 feet (3,962 meters), Mauger told reporters.
- Mauger also said that it is anticipated that the submarine might have 70 hours of oxygen left, adding two aircraft, a submarine, and sonar buoys were involved in the search for the vessel.
- As per reports, 58-year-old British billionaire Hamish Harding was also on board the missing submersible, his family said. Harding had himself posted about his expedition on social media at the weekend.
- "We are deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible,” OceanGates said in its statement.
- Rear Adm Mauger said the rescue teams were "taking this personally" and were doing everything they could to bring those on board "home safe".