LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A shocking video depicting the disastrous implosion of the Titan submersible has become a viral sensation on social media platforms. The footage, shared by the YouTube account AiTelly, provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the implosion, shedding light on the reasons behind the collapse of the submersible and the subsequent loss of five lives. The incident occurred during a mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic, situated approximately 12,500 feet beneath the ocean's surface.
The Titan submersible, which had been descending to the Titanic's wreckage, abruptly lost communication with its support vessel on Sunday, June 18. Several days later, the wreckage was recovered, revealing the extent of the catastrophic implosion that had occurred. Among the victims were tourists Hamish Harding (58), Shahzada Dawood (48), and his son Suleman Dawood (19), French Navy pilot Paul-Henry (PH) Nargeolet, and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush.
Who owns AiTelly?
AiTelly, the YouTube channel responsible for the widely shared video specializes in posting original 4K and 3D engineering animations. Though the channel's "about" page indicates that it is based in the United States, the ownership details remain unclear at present. The creators of the video utilized open-source software called Blender to generate the intricate animation, which highlights the unique design of the ill-fated Titan submersible. Unlike conventional submersibles that employ steel, titanium, and aluminum, the Titan featured an experimental construction that incorporated carbon fiber.
The 12-hour animation process involved inputting data about OceanGate, the company behind the submersible, into the 3D modeling software. The resulting video portrayed the internal structure of the submersible, illustrating the engineers' depiction of it as a basic deep-diving submarine. Tragically, it was precisely this carbon fiber construction that experts suggest may have contributed to the submersible's demise, as the material is prone to sudden cracking and breakage.
Descent and communication failure
On June 18, the OceanGate submersible was launched at approximately 8 am in the Atlantic Ocean, directly above the Titanic shipwreck site. With Rush at the helm, the five passengers embarked on their descent. However, at 9.45 am, contact with the mothership, the Polar Prince, was abruptly lost. Despite the submersible's disappearance, OceanGate Expeditions took eight hours to report the incident to the US Coast Guard.
The news of the missing submersible prompted an international effort to rescue the five passengers. Ships from various countries rallied to aid in the search for the missing submersible, aware that time was running out as the hours and available oxygen dwindled. Several days later, authorities reluctantly announced that the five individuals aboard the submersible were presumed dead, victims of a likely implosion.
Investigation and recovery
During the recovery mission, debris from the imploded submersible was discovered near the Titanic's wreckage. This development prompted an investigation that commenced in late June. Adding further complexity to the situation, human remains were also recovered, leading to concerns about potential criminal implications. In response, Superintendent Kent Osmond of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police assembled a team of investigators with the primary objective of determining whether a criminal investigation was warranted.
Osmond emphasized that any potential criminal investigation would only proceed if the circumstances indicated a possible violation of criminal, federal, or provincial laws. Commenting on the matter, Osmond stated, "Following the US Coast Guard's announcement earlier this week that debris from the submersible was located and all five on board were presumed dead, we will now look at the circumstances that led to those deaths. Our investigators are engaged and active in this matter as of this morning. Once a determination has been made as to whether or not a full investigation will be launched, we will provide an update at that time."
