Investigators have determined that the Titan submersible’s fatal implosion was caused by inadequate engineering. A final report from the National Transportation Safety Board cites flaws in the sub’s design process, sparking renewed scrutiny of deep-sea exploration safety measures.

A new National Transportation Safety Board report concludes that faulty engineering led to a deadly implosion aboard the Titan submersible, which was on its way to visit the Titanic wreckage. Five people lost their lives when the experimental craft failed under pressure, according to the official findings released Wednesday.

An NTSB investigation reveals that damage to the Titan’s hull, combined with engineering flaws, caused the submersible to implode near the Titanic wreck in 2023. Five individuals lost their lives in this deep-sea tragedy, drawing attention to persistent challenges in ocean exploration.