- Survivors of a Titan crash claim $50 million in damages
Following the fatal submersible disaster near the wreck of the "Titanic" last year, the family of a victim has filed a lawsuit against the operating company, seeking $50 million (approximately €45 million).
The lawsuit alleges gross negligence on the part of the operator, according to lawyers representing the family of French scientist Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who perished in the incident. The suit, filed in a Seattle court in Washington state, also claims that defects and inadequacies of the submersible were not disclosed or intentionally hidden.
U.S. media reports indicate that the lawsuit against U.S. operator Oceangate and others also claims that the crew eventually realized that all passengers would die, causing them to experience "fear and mental anguish."
Nargeolet was known in scientific circles as "Mr. Titanic." He and four others embarked on a "Titanic" expedition in June last year and died when the submersible "Titan" imploded. It was later revealed that there were major safety concerns about the submersible before the expedition. "We hope that this lawsuit will provide answers for the family about exactly what happened, who was involved, and how those involved allowed this to happen," said a lawyer for Nargeolet's descendants.
Days-long search for "Titan" crew
The "Titan" disaster gripped the world last year. The approximately 6.5-meter-long submersible set off with five passengers towards the wreck of the "Titanic" on June 18, 2023. Contact was lost after one and a quarter hours.
An intense search operation followed, involving aircraft, ships, and underwater robots. After four days, an underwater robot found debris from the "Titan" at a depth of 3,800 meters near the wreck of the "Titanic." The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the submersible had imploded under the immense water pressure, but the exact cause of the disaster remains unclear.
Oceangate ceased operations two weeks after the tragedy. The company had charged $250,000 for a seat in its submersible.
On board the "Titan" were, in addition to Nargeolet, British adventurer Hamish Harding (58), British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood (48) and his 19-year-old son Suleman, as well as the CEO of U.S. operator Oceangate, Stockton Rush (61).
The operating company accused in the lawsuit is Oceangate, the company that owned and operated the submersible involved in the disaster. Despite the immense water pressure, the submersible "Titan" imploded during the expedition, leading to the tragedy.
