Buzz
Despite decades of speculation and theories, a scientist boldly declares that the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle has been solved, asserting that there was never any mystery to begin with.
Part 1: Firm in an Explanation
According to The Independent, Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki recently affirmed why numerous ships and airplanes vanished without a trace in the area between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico, dismissing any extraterrestrial involvement or the mythical city of Atlantis.
Instead, Kruszelnicki suggests that the disappearances were due to mundane human errors, adverse weather conditions, and the fact that the area in the Atlantic Ocean has always been heavily trafficked by ships and planes.
Kruszelnicki has consistently garnered attention for his unwavering stance on the Bermuda Triangle, first expressing this viewpoint in 2017, followed by 2022 and again in 2023. Throughout, he has steadfastly adhered to the idea that the statistical figures tell the true story.
Throughout history, numerous mysterious disappearances have earned this region names like Hodoo Sea and Devil's Triangle. Mr. Kruszelnicki told news.com.au that the Bermuda Triangle not only covers a vast area of 700,000 km2 in the ocean but also is densely populated. He said, 'This area is close to the Equator, near the affluent regions of the world like the US, hence there are plenty of traffic routes.'
Hence, when comparing the number of disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle with the large number of ships and planes passing through this area, we find nothing unusual. He said, 'According to Lloyd's of London and the US Coast Guard, the number of people who disappear in the Bermuda Triangle is similar to anywhere else in the world when considering the percentage.'
Mr. Kruszelnicki also mentioned simple explanations for a disappearance that sparked widespread speculation about the Bermuda Triangle: the disappearance of Flight 19.
This was a flight of 5 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers of the US Navy, departing from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) on December 5, 1945, for a routine two-hour training mission over the Atlantic Ocean.
After losing radio contact with the base, all 5 planes vanished. No traces of the planes or the 14 crew members were found.
Strangely, it was later claimed that a PBM-Mariner seaplane dispatched that night to search for Flight 19 also disappeared along with its 13 crew members.
Due to lack of knowledge or inability to verify information, speculations about Flight 19 erupted, especially after 1964 when author Vincent Gaddis raised his hypothesis in an article titled 'The Deadly Bermuda Triangle.' Gaddis wrote: 'Whatever threat lies hidden within a near-tragic triangle near us, it's responsible for the most incredible mystery in aviation history: the disappearance of a patrol flight. This relatively restricted area is the scene of disappearances that defy all odds. The mysterious history of the area dates back to the mysterious lights, never explained by Columbus when he first landed in the Bahamas.'
Mr. Kruszelnicki pointed out that Lloyd's of London would not agree with Gaddis's statistical analysis, while also offering simple explanations for Flight 19.
Firstly, Mr. Kruszelnicki asserted that although Gaddis claimed the American squadron vanished in ideal flying conditions, the weather at the time was far from good, with waves as high as 15 meters. Additionally, Mr. Kruszelnicki added that the only experienced pilot in the flight, Lieutenant Charles Taylor, might have contributed to the tragedy.
Mr. Kruszelnicki said: 'He arrived intoxicated, flew without a watch, and had been lost and had to ditch his plane twice before. Furthermore, transcripts from the radio communication before the patrol flight disappeared clearly show that the members of Flight 19 were uncertain about their location.'
Information indicates that Taylor believed his compass was malfunctioning and that he was over the Florida Keys—a chain of islands extending southwest of the US mainland—while in fact, subsequent ground analysis showed Taylor to be southeast, near an island in the Bahamas.
Mr. Kruszelnicki stated that Taylor dismissed the opinion of a subordinate pilot when he suggested they should turn westward. Instead, Taylor insisted the patrol fly eastward, inadvertently leading them further out into the Atlantic, over deep waters where planes or bodies are harder to find.
According to author Gaddis and others, what's even more terrifying in the mysterious disappearance of Flight 19 in the Bermuda Triangle is the fate of the search and rescue seaplane, which also vanished. However, Mr. Kruszelnicki stated: 'It didn't vanish without a trace. It was seen exploding.'
There were some witnesses to the explosion. There was an oil slick and debris. Following the disaster, the US Navy ceased operations for all other PBM-Mariner seaplanes. This particular aircraft had earned the ominous nickname 'flying gas tank.'
However, it remains to be seen whether renowned scientist Kruszelnicki will succeed in his efforts to unravel the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Many others have attempted such endeavors in the past.
Stay tuned for the final episode: Debunking the old hypotheses
