Search for missing submarine near the Titanic wreck off the coast of Newfoundland

In this digital scan image released by Atlantic/Magellan on May 18, 2023, a view of the bow of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean is shown using deep-sea charts. (The Canadian Press/AP-Atlantic/Magellan via AP)

a search is in progress off the coast of Newfoundland for a small submarine reported missing from the Titanic wreck.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax says a research submarine was reported late about 9:13 p.m. Sunday about 430 miles south of St. John’s, NL

Lieutenant Cmdr. Len Hickey says an Aurora military plane and the Canadian Coast Guard ship Kopit Hopson hit the searcheffort, which is being led by the US Coast Guard in Boston.

Chief Mi’sel Joe, head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Mi’kmaq band that owns the vessel from which the small submarine is launched, confirms that it is operated by OceanGate Expeditions.

Joe could not say how many people were on board the submarine, which can hold up to five people.

Andrew Furey, Prime Minister of Newfoundland and Labrador, tweeted that he is thinking of those affected and hopes that the US Coast Guard “finds the submarine and those on it very quickly.”