Presumed human remains have been discovered amidst the wreckage of the Titan, the ill-fated submersible that imploded during its journey to explore the Titanic, according to a report by the US Coast Guard on Wednesday. The recovered evidence will be transported from the North Atlantic to a US port, where medical professionals will conduct a formal analysis of the remains.

The findings are expected to provide critical insights into the cause of the tragedy and aid investigators from multiple international jurisdictions. Jason Neubauer, a chair captain with the Marine Board of Investigation, stressed the importance of understanding the factors that led to the catastrophic loss of the Titan to prevent a similar incident in the future.

Authorities announced the discovery of the wreckage approximately a week ago after an extensive international search and rescue effort. The submersible disappeared while attempting to reach the depths of the Titanic wreck, two miles below the surface. The Coast Guard stated last week that the five crew members on board were likely killed instantly in a “catastrophic implosion.”

What is among the debris

Pieces of the damaged craft, including sections resembling parts of the Titan’s hull and landing skids, have been brought ashore in Newfoundland, Canada. These remnants, along with twisted cables and other mechanical components, will aid in the investigation into the tragedy, shedding light on the experimental design, safety standards, and lack of certification of the submersible.

The retrieval of the debris is a crucial step in determining the cause of the incident. The design of the craft and the safety record of OceanGate, the US company operating the submersible, have long been questioned by industry experts.

Before the wreckage was found near the Titanic, the world eagerly awaited news of the vessel’s fate, with millions tuning in to media coverage to see if the submersible would be located before its oxygen supplies depleted.

How the wreck was brought to surface

The Horizon Arctic, a Canadian ship, transported the recovered wreckage to St John’s, Newfoundland. Pelagic Research Services, the company that owns the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) used in the search, confirmed the completion of offshore operations but refrained from commenting on the Titan investigation, which involves multiple government agencies in the US and Canada.

OceanGate Expeditions, the company responsible for the Titan, was based in Everett, Washington, while the submersible itself was registered in the Bahamas. The company has since closed following the discovery of the wreckage.

Electronic data recorders

Experts consulted by the Coast Guard believe that analyzing the physical debris could yield crucial clues about the cause of the Titan’s demise. They also speculate the possibility of electronic data stored within the submersible’s instruments. The National Transportation Safety Board has designated the loss of the Titan as a “major marine casualty,” with the Coast Guard leading the investigation.

The mother ship of the Titan, the Polar Prince, was Canadian, while the victims hailed from England, Pakistan, France, and the US. The individuals who lost their lives were OceanGate CEO and pilot Stockton Rush, members of a prominent Pakistani family Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.