A Subway restaurant has sparked backlash after employees displayed a slogan on the outdoor marquee that made fun of the ill-fated Titan submersible.
On June 18, a submersible called Titan - which was owned and operated by OceanGate - was launched on a 12,500-foot-deep expedition to see the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean.
However, less than two hours into the expedition, the sub lost contact with its surface support ship Polar Prince and failed to provide a signal to the Canadian research vessel.
It was then tragically revealed by the US Coast Guard on June 22 that all five members on board were presumed to have lost their lives following a "catastrophic implosion".
The five confirmed victims were British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son Suleman, founder and CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, and veteran French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet.
OceanGate shared a full statement about the tragedy, which read: "These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans. 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."
However, a Subway restaurant in Rincon, Georgia, decided to make a distasteful remark about the harrowing incident on a sign at the fast food chain's store, which read: "Our subs don't implode," according to a number of pictures posted on social media.
Upon seeing the photo, many outraged users took to the comment section to say that the chain eatery's message was insensitive to those who tragically passed away, as well as their loved ones.
One person wrote: "Fire the person responsible for this sign and do a cooperate apology, that's super inconsiderate," while another user said: "I’ll never eat at Subway ever. It is distasteful and disrespectful to families who lost loved ones."
A third commented: "What an absolute disgrace for Subway to do this they should be ashamed that people lost [their] lives and they think it's funny would they find as funny if this terrible disaster happened to them."
And, a fourth person simply asked: "How can you be that cruel??????"
According to a local news outlet WTOC 11, a manager at the branch refused to comment but revealed that the lettering on the sign had been taken down following complaints.
Sky News also reported that the chain's head office accused the franchise operator and promised it would not happen again. They also added: "We have been in contact with the franchise about this matter and made it clear that this kind of comment has no place in our business."
