After days of aerial and underwater searches, a robotic diving vehicle deployed from a Canadian ship discovered a debris field from the submersible Titan on the seabed 1,600 feet (488 metres) from the bow of the Titanic after the submersible went missing on Sunday. Tributes are being paid to the five people who are now believed to have been instantly killed in the “catastrophic implosion”. Coast Guard officials said that five major fragments of the 22-foot Titan were found in the debris field left from its disintegration, including the vessel’s tail cone and two sections of the pressure hull, The Guardian reported.
“The debris field here is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vehicle,” Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US coast guard said, as per its report.
The Titan, operated by the US-based company OceanGate Expeditions, had gone missing after it lost contact with its surface support ship on Sunday morning about an hour and 45 minutes into a two-hour dive to the world’s most famous shipwreck.
In its tribute, the White House stated that the loved ones of the five men had endured a “harrowing ordeal” over the past week.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan,” it wrote in a statement. “They have been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers,” it added.
The White House thanked the US coast guard along with Canadian, British, and French partners who were involved in the search and rescue operation.
OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, 48-year-old vice chairman of Engro Corporation, and his 19-year-old son Suleman are among the dead.
OceanGate, the company that operated the Titan hailed the passengers as “true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans”. “We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew,” it added
Following the news of his death, Hamish Harding’s family remembered a “dedicated father” who was “a guide, an inspiration, a support and a living legend”.
“He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer – whatever the terrain – who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it’s that we lost him doing what he loved,” the statement read, according to The Guardian’s report.
Harding’s family said they were “united in grief” with the families of the others who had died.
UK foreign secretary James Cleverly described the event as “tragic news” and said the UK Government was closely supporting the British families affected.
Shahzada Dawood and his Suleman’s family expressed their “profound grief” and said they were “truly grateful” to all those involved in the rescue efforts.
“Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us,” said the statement from Hussain and Kulsum Dawood, the parents of Shahzada Dawood, as quoted by the report. “The immense love and support we receive continues to help us to endure this unimaginable loss,” they added.
Suleman’s aunt Azmeh Dawood said he felt “terrified” about the adventure, according to NBC news, but opted to go as the trip took place over the US Father’s Day weekend.
More On It: 'Caught In A Bad Film': Aunt Of Pak Teen Who Died In Titanic Sub Implosion Says He 'Wasn't Up For It'