They wanted to visit the wreck of the “Titanic”, which sank more than 110 years ago, but now there is no trace of the adventurers: the coast guards of Canada and the US are still feverishly looking for a missing mini-submarine which started a dive on Sunday morning. There are five people on board, including a British billionaire and a prominent Pakistani businessman.
The billionaire
On Monday it was announced that the British billionaire and pilot Hamish Harding is on board. He said on his Instagram profile on Sunday that he was “proud to finally announce” that he would be taking part in the mission to the wreckage of the “Titanic”.
“A weather window has opened and we will attempt a dive tomorrow,” Harding wrote. “Due to Newfoundland’s harshest winter in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only crewed mission to Titanic in 2023,” the 58-year-old added.
Harding is a seasoned adventurer and holds several Guinness World Records to his name. In March 2021, for example, he made the longest dive in the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on earth. In June 2022, the Brit flew into space.
“The submarine’s crew consists of legendary explorers, some of whom have made more than 30 dives on Titanic since the 1980s,” Harding continued.
father and son
There are now indications that a Pakistani businessman and his 19-year-old son were also present. “Our son Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman had embarked on a journey to visit the remains of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean,” British media quoted a statement from the family as saying on Tuesday morning. The family is one of the richest families in Pakistan. Dawood, his wife Christine and their two children live in the London area.
Dawood is the vice-chairman of the Karachi-based conglomerate Engro and is also involved in his family’s foundation, established in 1960, which promotes education. He is also a member of the non-profit organization Prince Trust Charity, which was founded in 1979 by King Charles.
“Titanic” expert
The identities of the other two occupants have not yet been publicly confirmed. According to British media, one of them is a French “Titanic” expert.
According to the Daily Mail, the fifth passenger could be Stockton Rush, the boss of submarine operator Oceangate.
It is no coincidence that several participants are rich: the expedition is not a cheap undertaking. According to the OceanGate Expeditions website, a passenger seat on the submarine costs $250,000 (about $229,000).
Short time to save
On Sunday, contact with the boat was lost. According to provider Oceangate Expeditions, there is enough oxygen on board for 96 hours in case of emergency.
The company said on Monday it would do everything possible “to return the five crew members safely”. They are “deeply grateful for the extensive assistance we have received from various government agencies and deep-sea companies in our efforts to re-establish contact with the submarine.”
(t-online, fho, lw)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
