The British university student who died in the tragic ‘implosion’ of the Titanic submarine was ‘terrified’ of the trip and only joined the crew to give his dad a Happy Father’s Day like his aunt heartbroken betrayed.
According to the US Coast Guard, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were two of the five victims who died instantly when the OceanGate submersible suffered a “catastrophic implosion” just 1,600 feet from Titanic’s bow.
The other victims were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French Navy veteran Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet and British billionaire Hamish Harding. They have been missing since the Titan submarine disappeared on Sunday, sparking a nerve-wracking search for the crew.
Tragically, Azmeh Dawood told NBC News that her nephew told a relative that he “didn’t feel like it very much” but felt compelled to please his father, who cared deeply about the 1912 shipwreck.
“I’m thinking of Suleman, who’s 19 and maybe just gasping for air… To be honest, it’s been debilitating,” the devastated aunt and sister told US magazine from their home in Amsterdam.
19-year-old college student Suleman (left) and his father Shahzada Dawood (right) were two of the five victims who died instantly when the OceanGate submersible suffered a “catastrophic implosion.”
Azmeh Dawood (pictured) – Mr Dawood’s older sister – revealed today that her nephew was “terrified” of the trip and only went to please his father
Heirs to the great Dawood business dynasty, Mr Dawood and his son were among the wealthiest people in Pakistan – despite living in Surrey, England
Suleman (pictured) studied at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow before his death
Sulaiman Dawood, 19, pictured with his mother Christine, a trainer and psychologist
The older sister of Mr. Dawood, vice chairman of Engro Corporation, reportedly said through tears, ‘I am in disbelief.’ It is an unreal situation.’
Azmeh, who like the other worried relatives was hoping for a miracle, continued, “I feel like I’m trapped in a really bad movie, with a countdown, but you didn’t know what countdown you were counting down to.”
She said she “personally found it hard to breathe just thinking about her,” adding, “It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
Azmeh herself admitted she wouldn’t have boarded the Titan submersible “if you’d given me a million dollars.”
Mr Dawood’s sister said she had lost contact with him in recent years.
Azmeh was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in 2014 and had to “sit in a wheelchair.”
She had moved to Amsterdam from England to have easier access to medicinal cannabis – something her family members, including her brother, disapproved of.
Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine) was a UK-based board member of the Prince’s Trust charity
The Dawood family paid tribute after it was announced that Shahzada and his son Suleman were among those who died
But when she heard the tragic news, she was reminded of her love for her brother. “He was my little brother, I held him up when he was born,” she said.
Azmeh said she always felt close to Suleman, whom she described as “thoroughly kindhearted.”
Suleman’s grandparents, Hussain and Kulsum Dawood, paid tribute to their beloved grandson and son, calling their death an “unimaginable loss”.
News of the tragic deaths broke today. The U.S. Coast Guard said the debris uncovered by the search mission “is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the hyperbaric chamber.”
“As a result of this finding, we immediately notified the families,” US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said at a news conference attended by reporters from around the world.
“On behalf of the Coast Guard and all of Combined Command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families.”
It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid £195,000 (US$250,000) each to see the famous shipwreck.
It’s a heavy blow to their families, experts say, and there’s little prospect of their remains being recovered.
A source said Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood is “driven by a passion for discovery”.
While search and rescue teams continued to hold out in hopes of finding the submarine Wednesday, the Dawoods’ family gathered above the water where the ship was last seen.
A family source told Web that Mr Dawood’s wife Christine and daughter Alina are at the search site and will be waiting “as long as possible”.
The source added: “It’s not clear what prompted Mr Dawood to visit the Titanic with his son, but he is driven by a passion for exploration and I understand this has been something that has been going on for some time.” was planned.” ‘
Mr. Dawood and his son were heirs to the great Dawood business dynasty and were among the wealthiest people in Pakistan.
They were British citizens and lived in Surbiton, Surrey. Suleman and his older sister both grew up in London.
Suleman studied at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He was a business school student and had just completed his freshman year.
Five people were on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding (pictured).
French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was also on the submarine along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Expedition
Before his death was announced, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to share the news that one of our students, Suleman Dawood, is a passenger on board the submersible.” that is missing in the North Atlantic.
“We are deeply concerned for Suleman, his father and others involved in this incident. I know you will join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to their families and loved ones.”
In a family statement earlier this week, Suleman was described as a “huge fan of science fiction and learning new things.”
US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger announced the men’s deaths at a news conference in Boston today. “The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the hyperbaric chamber.” Upon making this determination, we immediately notified the families. “On behalf of the Coast Guard and all of Combined Command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families.”
Rescuers had been scrambling to locate Titanic’s missing tourist submersible, but wreckage was confirmed to have been found today
Suleman’s mother Christine, a psychologist and life coach, and his sister Alina had spent a month in Canada before father and son ventured the dive.
In January 2019, Christine revealed that she and her husband were involved in a horrific plane crash that left them feeling like they were going to die.
“My husband later told me he was thinking about all the opportunities he missed and how much he still wanted to teach our kids,” Christine said in a heartbreaking post at the time.
Ahsen Uddin Syed, a friend of Mr Dawood who worked with him at his company, said earlier this week the businessman was “an explorer”.
“Travel and science are part of his DNA,” Syed told the New York Times.
He added that Mr. Dawood loved Star Trek and Star Wars and was an avid photographer.
Mr. Dawood was a Trustee at the SETI Institute – a Silicon Valley non-profit organization engaged in space exploration.
He was also a supporter of two charities founded by King Charles – the British Asian Trust and the Prince’s Trust International.
The Dawood family released a statement on Twitter Thursday night, which read, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the deaths of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood.”
“Our beloved sons were aboard OceanGate’s Titan submersible that perished underwater.”
“Please continue to keep the departed souls and our family in your prayers at this difficult time of grief.”
In this U.S. Coast Guard handout, a Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C. Hercules aircraft HC-130 overflies the French research vessel L’Atalante about 900 miles east of Cape during the search for the 21-foot submersible Titan Cod, June 21, 2023 over the Atlantic Ocean
“We are very grateful to everyone involved in the rescue operations. Your tireless commitment was a source of strength for us during this time.
“We also owe a debt of gratitude to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from around the world who have stood by us in our hour of need.” The immense love and support we receive continues to help us in this to endure unimaginable loss.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers on the Titan submersible.” We are unable to take calls at this time and are instead asking for support, condolences and prayers. Details of her final rites on this world will be announced soon.’
The statement was signed by Mr Dawood’s parents, Hussain and Kulsum, philanthropists who run an educational charity, and heads of the family dynasty.
Mr Dawood’s sister Sabrina said during the rescue mission that he and his son “would be just as touched as we are by the support of the world community”.
As tributes continue to be poured in for the father and son, Mr. Dawood’s company extended its condolences to the family.
In a statement, Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate of which he was vice chairman, said: “It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we mourn the loss of our vice chairman Shahzada Dawood and his beloved son Suleman Dawood.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family at this tragic time.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and everyone around the world who is grieving this unimaginable loss.”
After days of searching for the lost Titan submarine, officials announced today that the five passengers on board had perished.
Among them was British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, whose family hailed him as a “dedicated father” and a “living legend” who died doing what he loved.
Also killed was French Navy veteran Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet, who was an experienced Titanic diver.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Richard Garriott, president of the Explorers Club, to which both Harding and Nargeolet belonged, said the men were drawn to research “in the name of meaningful science for the good of mankind.”
“Our hearts are broken. “I’m so sorry to share this tragic news,” Garriott announced. He said the club is “grateful to all of our members and the scientific and research community around the world who have mobilized personnel and resources to support search and rescue.”
Garriott described Harding as a “dear friend” to himself and the club. “He holds multiple world records and has continued to push dragons off the map, both personally and through his support of expeditions and charities,” he wrote.
“We are heartbroken for the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased.” “Their memories will be a blessing and continue to inspire us on behalf of science and research,” said Garriott.
In a statement confirming her death, OceanGate said, “We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, are sadly lost.”
French explorer PH Nargeolet was among those deceased on the submersible Titan
“These men were true explorers who shared a strong spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans.”
“Our hearts go out to these five souls and each member of their families at this tragic time. We mourn the loss of life and the joy they brought to all who knew them.”
The company added, “This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and deeply saddened by this loss.”
“The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful to the countless men and women from numerous organizations in the international community who have contributed extensive resources and worked so hard on this mission.”
The wreckage was discovered by the Odysseus 6K, the Horizon Arctic’s remote-controlled submarine. The ROV can dive to depths of 20,000 feet
“We appreciate their dedication to finding these five explorers and their tireless work day and night to support our crew and their families.”
“This is a very sad time for the entire explorer community and for all family members of those who died at sea.”
Until reports surfaced of a “debris field” that was later confirmed to contain parts of Titan, the world had been praying for a “miracle” for the passengers aboard the lost ship.
Officials said the field was found by Odysseus 6k, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed by Canadian ship Horizon Arctic, which can dive 20,000 feet underwater.
On Wednesday, rescuers estimated that vital oxygen supplies would end at 7:08 a.m. EST (12:08 p.m. UK time, 9:09 p.m. Sydney) the next day.
A glimmer of hope came on Wednesday when the Coast Guard confirmed P-3 aircraft had consistently picked up “popping” sounds, but search teams were unable to locate the source of the noise or confirm it was the SOS -Signals the world was hoping for.
However, experts have been warning for days about the possibility that the Titan had suffered a leak and imploded under pressures 400 times those at sea level.
With officials now confirming the search uncovered debris “consistent with a catastrophic loss of the hyperbaric chamber,” it is believed the five passengers could have been killed instantly, possibly when communications broke on Sunday.
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