Final moments of horror: Victims of Titan sub implosion realised fate 48-71 seconds before tragic end

The five individuals who perished aboard the OceanGate submersible were likely aware of the impending implosion just 48 and 71 seconds before it occurred, according to a reportin the New York Post.

Spanish engineer and underwater expert José Luis Martín, who spoke to the Post, likened the scenario to a 'horror movie'and offered insights into the final moments of the doomed Titan submersible during its dive to the Titanic shipwreck.

Electrical fault and loss of thrust

Martín explained that during the controlled immersion of the Titan, an electrical fault occurred, leaving the craft without thrust.

This loss of thrust, combined with the weight of the passengers and the pilot focused near the front end, disrupted the Titan's longitudinal stability.

The expert believes this deadly malfunction took place at a depth of approximately 5,500 feet.

Uncontrollable descent

With the submersible falling headlong towards the seafloor and its control and safety functions damaged, Martín theorised that it could no longer be manoeuvred.

The pilot, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, was unable to activate the emergency lever to drop weights and resurface.

The shift in position caused the submersible to fall vertically due to the unbalanced weight of the passengers at the porthole.

Moments of horror

During the 48 to 71 seconds of free fall, the group became aware of the severity of the situation, experiencing horror, fear, and agony in complete darkness.

Martín highlighted the difficulty in fully comprehending the experiences they went through during those moments.

As the submersible descended to the depths of the ocean, the hull experienced a sudden increase in underwater pressure, leading to a powerful compression of its carbon-fibrestructure at a depth of around 9,000 feet.

Martín explained that this rapid contraction created a dissonance with the acrylic material of the viewport, resulting in a micro-fissure and subsequent implosion after the initial free fall.

Structural issues and potential causes

Structural issues with the hull, including possible defects and small material imperfections, have been identified as potential causes of the implosion.

Carbon fibre, being prone to defects and exhibiting more fragile behaviour than other materials, could have played a role in the structural failure under immense pressure.

OceanGate CEO and Titan pilot Stockton Rush, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Sulaiman Dawood all lost their lives in the tragedy.

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OceanGate has suspended all operations and faced criticism regarding safety protocols following the tragedy. Rush's previous remarks about breaking rules and prioritising innovation have come under scrutiny.

Despite the devastating outcome, investigations into the incident continue to shed light on the series of events that led to the implosion of the submersible.

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