The U.S Coast Guard has announced the discovery of “presumed human remains” from the OceanGate Titan wreckage. This development comes nearly two weeks after the vessel disappeared, with the investigation into the tragedy now being escalated to the highest level.
The remains are believed to belong to one or more of the deceased passengers of the submersible. The individuals on the list include world explorer Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, father and son Shahzada and Sulaiman Dawood, and Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate Expeditions.
U.S. Coast Guard Moves Titan Investigation To Highest Level, Presumed Human Remains Found
The U.S. medical professionals will conduct an analysis of the remains in order to positively identify them, according to a Coast Guard press release.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard Capt. Jason Neubauer has instructed the Marine Board of Investigation to examine the “catastrophic implosion” that resulted in the death of the five men.
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Neubauer, who is leading the investigation, added that the probe could potentially lead to civil and criminal sanctions in various international jurisdictions.
“The evidence will provide investigators from several international jurisdictions with critical insights into the cause of this tragedy,” Neubauer said.
Canadian Transport Safety Board, Royal Mounted Police Investigating Titan’s Mother Ship
The Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) will evaluate the wreckage debris as evidence collection continues. In addition, the agency will also be interviewing witnesses as part of its investigation.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the evidence, including the possible human remains, arrived in Canada on Wednesday.
Canadian transport officials, along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will conduct their own investigations into the Titan’s mother ship, the Polar Prince.
The Polar Prince has been sent to the TSB Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa for further analysis, according to the agency.
This happened with “TITAN” under the ocean🌊. #TITAN#OceanGate #Titanic pic.twitter.com/tQkxR7s4jZ
— sonu (@Nirguna_Brahman) June 28, 2023
Titan Now In Possession Of U.S. Coast Guard, Investigations Ongoing
The RCMP stated that the investigation will determine if any “criminal, federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken.”
Meanwhile, as of Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard has taken possession of the debris from the submersible.
The Titan lost contact shortly after descending into the North Atlantic to explore the Titanic wreck on June 18.
Both U.S. and Canadian investigations are still ongoing. However, the Coast Guard states that there is “still a substantial amount of work to be done” before any potential charges can be filed.
“There is still a substantial amount of work to be done to understand the factors that led to the catastrophic loss of the TITAN and help ensure a similar tragedy does not occur again.”
This is a developing story. Be sure to check back with The Shade Room for further updates.
