During the search for the missing tourist submersible near the Titanic wreckage, a robotic deep-sea vessel uncovered a significant “debris field” on the ocean floor, as announced by the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday.
The collected information from the remotely operated vehicle is currently being reviewed by experts. A press conference has been scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (1900 GMT) to provide further details on the findings.
The situation has become critical as the search for the 22-foot (6.7-meter) Titan submersible reached a point where the air supply for the five individuals on board was nearly depleted, if not already exhausted, on Thursday morning.
Operated by OceanGate Expeditions, the van-sized Titan began its descent at 8 a.m. (1200 GMT) on Sunday but lost contact with its support ship.
With an initial 96-hour air supply, the submersible’s oxygen levels were anticipated to run out by Thursday morning, assuming it remains intact. Factors like power availability and the composure of those on board determine the exact timeline, according to experts.
In parallel efforts, a robotic device from a French research vessel also descended toward the seafloor on Thursday to search for any signs of the Titan submersible.
Even if the submersible is located in time, the logistical challenges of retrieving it from over 2 miles below the surface would be immense.
Rescuers and the families of the five occupants held onto hope after the U.S. Coast Guard reported on Wednesday that Canadian search planes had detected underwater sounds using sonar buoys. However, subsequent searches using remote-controlled underwater vehicles in the identified areas did not yield any results. Officials cautioned that the sounds may not have originated from the Titan.
