US Coast Guard says ‘underwater noises’ detected in Titanic submersible search area

Washington, June 21 (EFE).- The United States Coast Guard said early Wednesday that “underwater noises” had been detected in the area where a search is underway to locate the missing tourist mini-submarine that disappeared in the North Atlantic Ocean with five people on board who were diving down to view the wreck of the Titanic.

“Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises,” USCG Northeast said on Twitter.

“Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue,” it added.

The agency said that the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

The information comes shortly after several media reported that “banging” sounds at 30-minute intervals had been detected by the authorities.

The US Coast Guard on Monday launched an extensive search operation with Canada’s help to locate the mini-sub.

OceanGate Expeditions, which operates the submersible, told the authorities on Sunday that contact with the sub – with five people on board, including the pilot and four passengers – had been lost.

Aboard the submersible are Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, British explorer Hamish Harding, Frenchman Paul-Henry Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, according to UK media reports.

On its webpage, OceanGate Expeditions offers eight-day/seven-night trips to visit the Titanic wreck for approximately $250,000. EFE

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