The OceanGate Submarine and the Shipwreck in Greece: An Analysis of Media Attention

In a world where news is consumed and quickly forgotten, it is important to highlight the stories that truly matter. Two recent events have captured the world’s attention, but with a very different focus: the shipwreck of an immigrant boat in Greece and the implosion of an OceanGate submarine on its way to the Titanic. Although both events are tragedies, the media attention they have received is very different.

Shipwreck in Greece: A Silenced Tragedy

On June 14, 2023, a boat carrying more than 700 immigrants sank in the Mediterranean. So far, only 104 passengers have been rescued, and the majority of people remain missing. Despite the magnitude of this tragedy, it has received relatively low media attention, compared to the disappearance of the OceanGate Submarine and the amounts of resources that the US, among other countries, have spent on their rescue.

Pictures released by the Greek Coast Guard show hundreds of migrants crowded on a vessel that subsequently capsized in the Mediterranean, killing at least 79 people, in what is the deadliest migrant shipwreck off Greece this year. https://t.co/9RjTWK1zzL pic.twitter.com/qKovwPVtLk

— ABC News (@ABC) June 15, 2023

The OceanGate Submarine: A Disaster in the Depths

On the other hand, the implosion of the Ocean Gate submarine heading to the Titanic has captured the attention of media outlets around the world. The accident resulted in the death of the five passengers on board, including a Pakistani businessman and his son, a British businessman, a French diver, and the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions.

The expedition of this trip began on June 19, the titan submarine, which was going to make a touristic journey through the remains of the Titanic, was lost with five crew members on board.

On June 22, it was confirmed that the submarine had imploded shortly after submerging, causing a tragedy.

OceanGate Expeditions, the company behind the titan submarine, organized tourist trips to visit the remains of the Titanic at a depth of nearly 4,000 meters, at a cost of $250,000 per visitor.

The titan submarine was considered unique in its class, built with carbon fiber and capable of submerging to 4,000 meters deep. It used a video game controller to control its immersion and communicated with a mother ship through the Starlink satellite communication system.

After several days of search, scattered remains of the submarine were found 487 meters from the bow of the Titanic, but the exact cause of the implosion is still unknown. Authorities continue to work to identify the remains of the submarine and its occupants.

On the other hand, the implosion of the OceanGate submarine heading to the Titanic has captured the attention of media outlets around the world. The accident resulted in the death of the five passengers on board, including a Pakistani businessman and his son, a British businessman, a French diver, and the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions.

Comparison of Media Attention

It is evident that the tragedy of the shipwreck in Greece has been overshadowed by the implosion of the OceanGate submarine. Why this difference in media coverage? Is it because the submarine passengers were prominent public figures? Or is it because the tragedy of the shipwreck in Greece is just one among many that occur in the Mediterranean? Or is it simply a matter of how much you have, how much you’re worth?

Conclusion

Both events are tragedies that deserve our attention. However, the difference in media coverage highlights the need for greater equity in the way these events are reported. It is essential that the lives of immigrants seeking a better life are valued in the same way as those who can afford to explore the remains of the Titanic.

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