Missing Titanic sub destroyed in 'catastrophic implosion'; all 5 passengers 'sadly lost'

All five passengers on board the Titanic sub — including Dubai-based billionaire Hamish Harding – are believed to be dead, according to the US Coast Guard and a statement that the vessel's operator OceanGate released on Thursday.

"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," it said.

"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," it added.

OceanGate did not provide details when the company announced the “loss of life” in a statement or how officials knew the crew members perished.

At a press briefing held on Thursday, the US Coast Guard says the discovered debris from the submersible suggests 'catastrophic loss'.

"In consultation with experts from the unified command, the debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of (Titan’s) pressure chamber," said Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander

As this finding emerged, families were immediately notified, he added.

"On behalf of the US Coast Guard and the entire unified command I offer my deepest condolences to the families. I can only imagine what his has been like for them and I hope that this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time," Mauger said.

Asked whether the bodies could be recovered, Mauger said he could not confirm whether it would be possible.

"This is an incredibly unforgiving environment," he said.

Titan imploded

An official from the US Coast Guard added during the press briefing that the ROV (remotely operated vehicle) “found different major pieces” of the remains of the Titan. First to be found was the nose cone, which was located outside the pressure hull.

Then, the ROV found a “large debris field” the from and bell end pressure hull, “which was the first indication that there was a catastrophic event,

“We (also) found the aft and bell that comprise the totality of the pressure vessel, added the US Coast Guard, noting: “We (will) continue to map the debris field and as the admiral (Mauger) said, we will do the best we can to fully map out what's down there.”

When asked if the Titan submersible hit any part of the Titanic wreck, another US Coast Guard official explained that Titan was found 1,600 feet off the bow of the Titanic, “an area where there is no debris of the Titanic” and has a smooth bottom, further cementing the theory that there was an implosion in the water.

(With inputs from agencies)

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