LatestNaija.news reports that potential human remains have been unearthed from the disastrous remains of the Titan submersible, as per a statement by the US Coast Guard.
The Titan submersible, a wreckage from a calamitous deep-sea exploration of the infamous Titanic, was retrieved and brought ashore in St John’s, Canada, this Wednesday. Identified among the wreckage were the submarine’s landing frame and a rear covering.
Medical experts from the US will execute a thorough examination of the potential remains, stated the coast guard. The investigation into the tragic accident is in its early stages, with the Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) planning to transfer the recovered materials to a US port for in-depth testing and analysis.
Capt Jason Neubauer, chair of the MBI, expressed in a statement that understanding the reasons behind the catastrophic loss of the Titan is crucial to prevent future similar occurrences. “We still have substantial work ahead of us,” he stated. He also voiced his gratitude for the global interagency cooperation in recovering and safeguarding this critical evidence from considerable offshore distances and depths.
The ill-fated event occurred on June 18, leading to the demise of all five people aboard the Titan, including the CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush (61), British explorer Hamish Harding (58), Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman Dawood (19), and French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet (77). The Titan imploded about 90 minutes into a dive to view the historic 1912 shipwreck, located in the North Atlantic at a depth of approximately 3,800 meters.
Debris and presumed human remains from the Titan submersible have been recovered and returned to land, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday, nearly a week after a search-and-rescue operation ended and the vessel’s five passengers were presumed dead. https://t.co/6NJiKLON93 pic.twitter.com/YGo9xmwuMO
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 28, 2023
Initially, authorities were doubtful about the chances of recovering any remains due to the inhospitable environment of the seafloor. “The seafloor is incredibly unforgiving,” warned Coast Guard Adm John Mauger. Cpt Neubauer also emphasized that if human remains were found, all necessary precautions would be taken during the investigation, likely including a formal hearing with witnesses.
So far, five significant parts of the submersible have been found near the Titanic’s bow, forming a vast debris field. Recovered debris included a titanium end cap, a titanium ring, the landing frame, and the end equipment bay, among other items. The recovery operation was spearheaded by the Canadian ship Horizon Arctic, with remotely operated vehicles provided by Pelagic Research Services.
OceanGate, the company responsible for the fatal dive, has been under fire for its safety protocols. Concerns have been raised about the Titan sub, especially considering it wasn’t subject to regulation. A former employee identified several issues that raised serious safety concerns, including the testing of the hull. In response to safety concerns raised by an expert, OceanGate CEO Mr. Rush had previously downplayed the risks, stating that he was “tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation”.
The company acknowledged the tragedy last week, stating, “It is an extremely sad time for our employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss.”
