Britain Abandoned $5.5B Shipwreck Treasure | UK News

Britain nearly pulled off a $5.5 billion treasure haul from the HMS Sussex, a 1694 shipwreck off Gibraltar, but diplomacy derailed the deal. After Odyssey Marine Exploration found the wreck in 1998 and signed a UK contract to split the loot, Spain erupted — claiming jurisdiction over the site. Leaked docs reveal UK officials feared the treasure hunt threatened relations with Madrid, leading them to back out and distance themselves from Odyssey. Spain’s culture minister vowed to stop them “over her dead body,” while aggressive patrols forced Odyssey to abandon the site in 2007, leaving equipment behind. Despite international law favoring Britain’s claim, diplomatic risk won out — and the treasure remains lost at sea. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/6ccc6f5d6f9f948c