Search and rescue efforts are currently underway for a submersible vessel that went missing while exploring the wreckage of the Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The submersible vessel was carrying five people, including Shahzada Dawood, a Pakistani businessman and his son, Suleman Dawood, as well as Hamish Harding, a British businessman and pilot, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French diver and Titanic expert, and Stockton Rush, CEO and founder of the vessel’s operator, OceanGate Expeditions. Sadly, time is running out for them: experts from the United States Coast Guard, which is coordinating rescue efforts, are warning that the breathable air supply will last only until Thursday morning.
The Titanic submersible vessel set off on Sunday, equipped with a 96-hour oxygen supply. It’s a cramped and claustrophobic experience, with the passenger compartment sealed with 17 bolts from the outside, and no seats provided. Passengers must sit cross-legged on the floor with bare feet. Despite these challenges, the submersible is a popular option for tourists looking to view the Titanic wreckage; OceanGate Expeditions charges Rs 2 crore per person for an eight-day expedition.
However, the trip comes with numerous risks. German adventurer Arthur Loibl joined the expedition two years ago and called it a suicide mission, due to the cramped conditions and harsh weather. Speaking about the missing submersible vessel, Loibl stated: Imagine you are in a metal tube. You can’t stand, you can’t kneel. It must be hell down there. It is four degrees. There is no chair, no toilet.
The US Coast Guard has been coordinating efforts to find the missing vessel, but hopes are dwindling. The search efforts face multiple challenges due to the vastness and depth of the ocean in the area. The incident has caused concern worldwide, with many hoping the trapped passengers will be found unscathed. Unfortunately, investigators and rescue teams are facing a gruelling race against time to discover the submersible before it’s too late.
