A search is under way for a missing submarine which carries people to view the wreckage of the Titanic, according to media reports.
The US Coast Guard told BBC News that a search was under way off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. OceanGate Expeditions confirmed it owned the missing vessel.
“We are exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely,” the company said in a statement to BBC News. “Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families.”
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In 2021, OceanGate Expeditions began what it expected to become an annual voyage to chronicle the deterioration of the ocean liner which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912. The company said at the time that in addition to archaeologists and marine biologists, the expeditions also would include roughly 40 paying tourists who would take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the five-person submersible.
The initial group of tourists was funding the expedition by spending anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 US dollars (£78,000 to £117,000) each.
Journalist Steve Norris added that attempts to contact the submarine had proven unsuccessful, reports the Mirror. "U.S. CoastGuard (Boston) says there are FIVE (5) PEOPLE ONBOARD," he tweeted.
"The missing sub is believed to be in 12,500 ft of water near Titanic wreckage. It was supposed to return to Newfoundland tomorrow June 20, but all communications have been lost. Company’s website has crashed."
Earlier this year, the company said it planned an expedition to the wreck for Summer 2023, which would further document the Titanic and its "rate of decay".
Their mission plan reads: "Given the massive scale of the wreck and the debris field, multiple missions performed over several years will be required to fully document and model the wreck site. This longitudinal survey to collect images, videos, laser, and sonar data will allow objective assessment of the rate of decay and documentation of the process.
"Qualified explorers have the opportunity to join the expedition as Mission Specialist crewmembers whose Training and Mission Support Fees underwrite the mission, the participation of the science team, and their own training.
"Each team of 6 Mission Specialists will join the expedition for a 10-day mission (8 Days at Sea). The entire expedition is comprised of 5 mission legs."
The statement goes on to say that mission specialists would "capture data and images for the continued scientific study of the site", '"document the condition of the wreck with high-definition photographs and video", and "document the flora and fauna inhabiting the wreck site for comparison with data collected on prior scientific expeditions to better assess changes in the habitat and maritime heritage site."
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