Reality TV presenter and podcast host Abbie Chatfield has been slammed for her ‘disrespectful’ and ‘insensitive’ comments about the Titan submersible tragedy which killed five people.
The sub was on an expedition to view the shipwreck of the Titanic when it lost contact with the outside world and disappeared in the North Atlantic Ocean.
On-board the sub was a renowned Titanic expert, a billionaire adventurer, two members of one of Pakistan’s wealthiest families and the chief executive of the company leading the underwater exploration.
A four-day international search and rescue mission came to an end last Friday when it was confirmed that the sub had imploded, killing the five passengers instantly.
Chatfield took to social media to blast the billionaire passengers for putting themselves in such a precarious life or death situation.
Reality TV presenter and podcast host Abbie Chatfield has been slammed for her ‘disrespectful’ and ‘insensitive’ comments about the Titan submersible tragedy which killed five people
‘The only reason billionaires have gotten into this f***ing tin can, honestly, is because they are so f***ing bored with their lives,’ she told her followers.
‘They can do everything and they probably have done everything they want to do. So what next? Let’s go look at some rust at the bottom of the ocean.’
The FBoy Island host pointed out the underwater travellers had paid up to $US250,000 ($A360,000) for their places on the experimental vessel with just ‘a tiny window over the toot’.
‘If that’s your special interest, go for it babes. But a quarter of a million dollars to be run by an off-brand PlayStation controller? No thank you,’ she emphasised.
Chatfield took to social media to blast the billionaire passengers for putting themselves in such a precarious life or death situation. ‘The only reason billionaires have gotten into this f***ing tin can, honestly, is because they are so f***ing bored with their lives,’ she told her followers
Abbie hit back when she got slammed by her TikTok followers
‘Being a billionaire must suck if this is something that has brought them joy, it must be awful and boring and hideous because what the f**k.’
The comments have been met with fiery backlash, as people blasted the radio host for being ‘insensitive’ and ‘harsh.
‘What a disrespectful take on the tragedy … regardless of their net worth, they are still people in serious danger with families and loved ones,’ one person said.
The podcast creator’s social media was flooded with negative feedback heatedly telling her to “have a heart” or ‘have some f***ing respect’.
‘I love your work Abbie but this is a low blow,’ a fan commented.
‘Pretty discusting (sic) point of view. These people are dead. Wow,’ another added.
Despite the fierce backlash, many social media users also jumped to defend Chatfield and agree with her questions.
Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulemanlost their lives on the Titan submersible
Among those taking part in the expedition was billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on June 18, the day the submersible started its voyage
‘Amazing, every single point was spot on,’ one follower wrote.
‘Dunno why everyone is taking this the wrong way. It’s so true,’ another chimed in.
The supportive messages are more abundant on a follow-up video about the disproportionate international media attention lavished on the Titan tragedy.
Addressing followers while waiting to film her reality TV show FBoy Island, the host noted that asylum seekers and refugees who had died at sea didn’t receive the same spotlight.
‘The reason why I think this has so much press coverage is because people don’t understand why you’d do this as a tourist,’ she told viewers.
‘Why would you put yourself in that position unnecessarily? Asylum seekers and refugees, it is the only option for them, the only option left.’
Paul Henri Nargeolet – dubbed Mr. Titanic’ – (left) was taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush, CEO of the OceanGate Expedition
Fans left a barrage of comments thanking her for talking about the disparity.
‘Thank you for speaking the truth,’ one said.
‘Exactly this is so true. No one cares about the people that aren’t rich,’ another commenter wrote.
Chatfield maintained she wasn’t saying the five passengers ‘deserved it’ but was instead questioning their motivation for engaging in such a risky venture.
‘I think it’s really sad … but also why would you do it?’ she asked.
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