“We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush (61), Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman Dawood (19), Hamish Harding (50) and Paul-Henri Nargeolet (77) are sadly lost,” OceanGate said in a statement.

“These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans,” OceanGate said in a statement. “We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.”

“Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.”

The U.S. Coast Guard said in a Twitter post earlier Thursday that a remotely operated vehicle discovered a debris field within the search area for the Titan submersible.

“Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families,” said Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, at the press briefing.

“On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. I can only imagine what this has been like for them.”

Mauger added that the debris was found about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic ship wreckage that lies more than 2 miles beneath the ocean surface, which is where the Titan submersible was headed before it lost communication less than two hours into its dive on Sunday.

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