The US Coast Guard is conducting a search for a missing submersible vessel near the Titanic wreck, which had two Pakistani nationals on board. The 21-foot craft, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, lost contact with the surface shortly after beginning its descent. The US Coast Guard and Canadian counterparts have deployed aircraft and ships to survey the area, but no sightings or communication signals have been reported thus far.
The search efforts will continue overnight, with a national guard unit and the company operating the mission conducting surface searches. Canadian aircraft equipped with underwater scanning buoys will resume searches in the morning. France’s oceanographic institute is also joining the search with its vessel Atalante, equipped with a deep-sea underwater robot, scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.
Shahzada Dawood, a Pakistani businessman and vice chairman of Engro Corporation, along with his son, Suleman, were among the passengers on board. Their family expressed concern and requested that speculation be avoided while awaiting updates. Time is of the essence, as the submersible has limited oxygen supply, with approximately 70 hours remaining.
The Titanic wreck, located 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, is a historically significant site. The submersible, named Titan, is designed for dives up to a maximum depth of 4,000 meters. The search operation is challenging due to the remote location and the depths involved.
While theories about the submersible’s fate include electrical or communication problems or a compromised pressure hull, the exact cause remains unknown. The assistance of government agencies and deep-sea companies has been crucial in the search efforts.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the challenging nature of deep-sea exploration, and every effort is being made to ensure the safe return of the crew
