AFP The wreck of the Titanic
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 17:46
A submarine that allows tourists to view the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean has gone missing. It is unclear how many people were on board. According to the company that offers the expedition to the Titanic, the submarine can accommodate up to five people.
According to the British broadcaster BBC, the Coast Guard of the American city of Boston has launched a search.
The wreck of the famous ship that sank in 1912 lies at a depth of about 3800 meters, about 600 kilometers from the coast of Canada. Tourists can view the Titanic wreck for a fee. According to the BBC, such expeditions are occasionally organized with submarines.
A company that offers such tours, OceanGate Expeditions, recently set out on an eight-day expedition. Tourists pay about $250,000 per person to participate. OceanGate Expeditions has confirmed that it is one of their submarines.
“We are doing everything we can to safely retrieve the crew and occupants,” the company said in a statement to the broadcaster. Two more such expeditions are planned for the summer of next year.
Sunk during first crossing
The Titanic, built in Belfast, Northern Ireland, sank on her maiden voyage from England to the United States. Of the 2200 people on board, 1500 were killed.
A detailed digital scan of the Titanic was recently made using innovative techniques for the first time. This resulted in special 3D images.
An animation clearly shows how the Titanic is now:
Wreck Titanic razor sharp in new scans