The bodies of the five passengers onboard the Titanic tourist submarine may never be recovered from the Atlantic Ocean, the US Coast Guard has suggested.
The Coast Guard announced the Titan five had died during a press conference held after debris was found near the wreckage of the Titanic.
Rear Admiral John Mauger said: "This is an incredibly unforgiving environment out there on the sea floor.
"The debris is consistent with the catastrophic implosion of the vessel.
"We will continue to work and search the area down there but I don't have an answer on prospects at this time."
He added: "This is an incredibly complex operating environment on the sea floor over two miles beneath the surface."
Remote operated vehicles will continue to search the Atlantic Ocean over the next 48 hours.
Several pieces of debris from the Titan were found approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on the sea floor.
Admiral Mauger expressed his condolences with the five passengers who have died.
He said: "On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command I offer my deepest condolences to the families."
The tour company behind the Titanic expedition Ocean Gate shared their thoughts just before the US Coast Guard's press conference.
In a statement, Ocean Gate said: "We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost."
The company added: "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."
The Titan vanished during an expedition to the Titanic's wreckage on Sunday.
Officials had reported "banging" noises could be heard in the vicinity of the Titan's last known location.
Mauger later confirmed there was no connection between the reported underwater noises and the location on the sea floor.