Submarine with tourists visiting the wreckage of the Titanic disappears

A submersible taking tourists to see the wreck of the Titanic disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean.

The US and Canadian Coast Guard are engaged in a desperate search against the clock for the missing mini-submarine with five people on board after descending to see the wreck of the Titanic, which sank in 1912 600 kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland (Canada). The submersible only has enough oxygen reserves for 96 hours. Specialists recommend sleeping to use less oxygen.

OceanGate Expeditions, the private company that organises deep-sea expeditions, confirmed that there were people on board. “We are exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely. Our entire focus is on the crew members of the submersible and their families. We are working for the safe return of the crew members.”

According to local media, it is common for these submersibles to take tourists or researchers to see the wreckage of the Titanic, some 3,800 metres below the surface of the sea. OceanGate Expeditions is charging $250,000 for a place on its eight-day expedition to view the wreckage.