TITANIC CLAIMS LIVES OF FIVE MORE VICTIMS

THE hunt for five Titanic tourists ended in tragedy when rescuers said a "catastrophic failure" blew up their Titan sub, killing all on board instantly.

- Christopher Bucktin, Cyril Dixon

Debris was found near the liner's bow yesterday, 12,500ft down in the Atlantic.

The five, including three Britons, join some 1,500 passengers and crew who died on the Titanic's sole voyage, in 1912. The implosion of the Titan under intense pressure at that depth meant instant death for the passengers a fate that was described by one friend of theirs as a "saving grace".

But relatives of a British billionaire who died hit out at US sub operator OceanGate for a reported eight-hour delay after it vanished before an alert was sounded.

Confirming that Titan imploded, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger, who has led the search, said: "The debris is consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon determination, we immediately notified the families.

this "I can only imagine what this has been like for them, and I hope that this discovery provides some solace."

A remotely operated unmanned deep-sea vehicle from Canadian ship Horizon Arctic found the tail cone of the Titan and other debris during a huge international search.

The British victims were aviation billionaire Hamish Harding, 58, businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son, Suleman, 19.

Also killed were veteran French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate boss Stockton Rush.

The firm said: "These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans.

"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. This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply.

"The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organisations of the international community who expedited wideranging resources.