Saturday 24 June 2023 7:57 p.m. UK
Canadian police are investigating the deaths of five people who died in the Titan submersible implosion.
Superintendent Kent Osmond of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed on Saturday that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were being investigated.
Parts of the submarine were discovered Thursday on the seabed just 400m from the Titanic wreck.
The US Coast Guard said the ship suffered a catastrophic implosion that would have killed everyone on board.
Canadian police appear to be leading the criminal investigation as the vessel towing the ship to the Titanic site has left the province of Newfoundland.
It emerged that several engineering and deep-sea experts, including a former employee, had raised serious concerns about the submarine’s safety with the company boss
However, Stockton Rush, who also died in the incident, is said to have dismissed the concerns.
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Many of them focused on the carbon fiber used for the hull and the fact that the submersible had not been certified safe by outside authorities.
Other program makers – including Brit Ross Kemp – have since announced that they have declined the opportunity to travel by submarine for fear of its capabilities.
Three British nationals and a French Titanic expert died along with Mr Rush after paying hundreds of thousands to view the famous wreck.
The Titan submarine lost contact less than two hours after its descent last Sunday.
The sons of billionaire private jet dealer Hamish Harding paid their last respects to the victims on Saturday.
One of them described him as “the best father I could ever ask for”. [who] inspired me more than anyone will ever know.”