The five passengers onboard the Titan submersible have died, the tour company behind the Titanic expedition have said.
OceanGate announced the passengers have "sadly been lost" in a recently released statement.
The statement 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 US Coast Guard provided an update at 8pm BST after debris was found near the site of the Titanic's wreckage.
Admiral John Mauger said: "In consultation with experts from within the unified command, the debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.
"Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families.
"On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command I offer my deepest condolences to the families."
Mauger was unable to confirm whether the five bodies could be recovered.
Remotely operated vehicles will continue to search the depths of the Atlantic Ocean for more information.
Five pieces of debris helped rescue staff determine a "catastrophic" event had taken place involving the Titan.
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