By Abdulkareem Haruna

Authorities have confirmed that five separate pieces of debris found on the seafloor came from the Titan, a submarine that disappeared with five men on board during a test dive last week.

Rear Adm Mauger, who leads the search and rescue operation, said that among the identifiable parts was a tail cone, a crucial component of the sub’s propulsion system.

Despite the breakthrough, Rear Adm Mauger could not say whether the bodies of the crew were likely to be recovered. “This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the seafloor,” he said, referring to the depth of around 3,000 meters where the wreckage was found.

The search for the missing crew has been suspended while the focus shifts to the investigation of what caused the accident.

ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) will remain in the area to gather more evidence and conduct a thorough survey of the site, Rear Adm Mauger added.

The findings of the investigation will help determine the next steps, including possible salvage operations and improvements of safety measures for deep-sea testing.