Sick fake Twitter account claiming to belong to OceanGate Expeditions sparks outrage with video explaining ‘why we’re not sure we can find missing crew alive’
A fake Twitter account posing as that of OceanGate Expeditions, the company responsible for the missing Titanic submarine, caused chaos and disgust on Wednesday by posting a video saying “why we’re not sure we’re ‘the crew'” to save alive.
The account has the same profile picture and name as the legitimate business account. It has been posting updates on the frenetic search since Monday.
The recently changed username is @OceanGateExpeds, while the real account username is @OceanGateExped.
On Wednesday morning, as the search entered its most critical phase with only 24 hours of oxygen left in the small craft, the fake account shared a video graph illustrating the wreck’s depth. It was created by a Spanish research company.
“Here’s an explanation of the complexity of the quest. Even if we find them in time, we are not sure if we can save them alive,” the fake tweet read.
This tweet from a fake account claiming to belong to OceanGate Expeditions sparked anger on Wednesday
OceanGate’s real account, where the company has made just one statement since the saga began on Sunday
This photo was taken just after the submarine launched into the mid-Atlantic on Sunday morning
The video had already been viewed more than 250,000 times by Wednesday morning. Many, mistaking it for the real account, were shocked and disgusted by the merry music and choice of words.
What a tasteless tweet. At least show some compassion and take responsibility,” said one outraged follower.
“Not sure if this was the best thing you could have tweeted right now,” said another, while others blamed poor “crisis communication.”
Since the submarine was reported missing to the Coast Guard on Sunday evening, OceanGate Expeditions has released two statements.
Both pointed to their commitment to the ongoing search for the missing crew.
The company said it was aware of the fake Twitter account on Wednesday and reported it.
There are nine boats at the search site or en route to assist, along with multiple aircraft scanning the ocean surface and remotely operated underwater submarines.
Some saw the tweet as a legitimate statement from the company, which is leading the search for the sub
New hope came yesterday with the detection of a ‘thumping’ sound that the Coast Guard is now trying to tighten up again.
There is hope that the noise could be an attempt by those in the submarine to send out an SOS signal.
According to OceanGate’s website, oxygen will run out on Thursday morning, 96 hours after it went out.
In a statement yesterday, the company said: “For some time now, we have been unable to establish communication with any of our submarines currently visiting the Titanic wreck site.
“Our full focus is on the well-being of the crew and every effort is being made to return the five crew members safely.
“We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we attempt to reestablish contact with the submarine.
“We are praying for the safe return of the crew and passengers, and we will provide updates as they become available.”