Footage from a support ship reveals the moment the Titan submersible, operated by Oceangate, tragically imploded during a descent to the Titanic wreck in June 2023, resulting in the loss of all five passengers aboard. The new BBC documentary, "Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster," provides access to evidence from the US Coast Guard investigation, showing Stockton Rush's wife, Wendy, questioning the sound of an explosion moments before the disaster.
The Titan, led by CEO Stockton Rush alongside British explorer Hamish Harding, veteran diver Paul Henri Nargeolet, and businessmen Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, was on a paid expedition to the Titanic, resting over 3,800 meters beneath the Atlantic surface. As seen in recently obtained footage, the implosion noise, comparable to a "bang," was heard by Mrs. Rush, who initially mistook it for a sign of the sub continuing its dive after receiving a text message stating it had dropped weights.
However, the USCG later clarified that this ominous noise was indeed the Titan’s catastrophic implosion, killing all five instantly. Prior to this ill-fated dive, there had been serious safety concerns about the Titan's design due to its carbon fiber hull, which had never undergone independent safety certification. Warnings from experts indicated that the material was unreliable under pressure, leading to the vessel's eventual collapse under ocean depths.
Investigators found evidence suggesting that as early as dive 80, a year prior to the disaster, the carbon fiber material was starting to delaminate. Passengers on the last successful dive reported hearing a loud noise but thought it was part of the sub's operation, unaware of the impending dangers.
As testimonies from those involved emerged, it became clear that more robust safety measures were neglected, with some passengers expressing they would not have embarked on the journey had they known the potential risks. Christine Dawood, who lost her husband and son, expressed the profound impact of the tragedy.
With a final report from the USCG expected later this year, investigations continue to uncover the factors that led to this calamity, aiming to prevent such disasters in the future. Oceangate has ceased operations as legal proceedings ripple from this tragic event, extending the effects well beyond the families of the victims. The documentary can be viewed on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, airing on Tuesday, May 27 at 9 PM.
