A submarine used to take people to see the wreck of the Titanic has disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean.
Five people remain missing after the submarine failed to emerge from the water on Sunday, June 18, 435 miles south of St John's in Newfoundland, on Canada's east coast. A British explorer is believed to be among the five people feared missing on board the submarine used to take tourists to view the wreck of the Titanic, which lies 2.4 miles down on the ocean floor.
Lieutenant Commander Len Hickey, of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, said a Canadian Coast Guard vessel and military aircraft were assisting the search effort, led by the US Coast Guard in Boston.
READ MORE: CCTV shows Connor Chapman in convoy on way to burn Mercedes murder car
OceanGate Expeditions, which runs the tours to see the Titanic, said its focus remains on those aboard the vessel and their families.
The company said in a statement: "We are deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to re-establish contact with the submersible.
"We are working toward the safe return of the crew members."
In 2021, OceanGate began what it expected to become an annual voyage to chronicle the deterioration of the famous ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing more than 1,500 of 2,240 passengers and crew.
Since the wreckage was discovered in 1985, it has been slowly succumbing to metal-eating bacteria, and some have predicted it could vanish in decades as holes grow in the hull and sections disintegrate. The wreck lies in two parts, surrounded by debris.
The eight-day submarine tour, which usually carries two staff members and three paying guests, sets sail from St John's in Newfoundland, which is around 370 miles (600km) from the wreckage site. Each full dive to the wreck, including the descent and ascent, reportedly takes around eight hours.
READ NEXT
Son 'blames himself' over dad's horrific seven day ordeal at failing care home
Boy, 16, shot in street over £200 debt and his killer is still free
All the DWP cost of living payment and benefit dates for July
Machete gang cut woman's fingers off and leave man needing leg amputated over 'six figure debt'
I found a 'versatile' festival skirt from H&M and it cost me £15
