CLAIM: An image shows a CNN news story that reported the OceanGate submersible on its way to the Titanic wreckage site was found empty.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The image is fabricated. CNN did not publish any such story, a spokesperson for the network told The Associated Press. The submersible had not been found at the time of publishing.

THE FACTS: As rescuers race against the clock to find the Titan, the lost submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions, social media users on Wednesday shared a fabricated CNN report that falsely claimed the vessel has been found with no one inside.

“Missing OceanGate Submarine Found Empty,” reads the headline. The report continues, saying “the submarine” was found but without any passengers, falsely attributing the information to Wendy Rush, the wife of Stockton Rush, CEO of the company and pilot of the expedition. The report incorrectly identifies her as co-founder of OceanGate. She lists herself on LinkedIn as director of communications and expedition team member for the company.

The fabricated report features an image of an OceanGate vessel below the text. The image also shows a red bar at the top of the screen that reads “CATEGORY.” The byline for the story reads, “CNN News.”

The false claim circulated on Facebook and Instagram.

Emily Kuhn, a spokesperson for CNN, confirmed in an email to the AP that the image was fabricated and this was not a real news report from CNN.

AP Fact Check

Fabricated news report falsely claims...

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