The university student who was killed in the tragic Titanic submarine ‘implosion’ was ‘terrified’ about the trip and only joined the crew to please his dad for Father’s Day, his heartbroken aunt has revealed.
Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, 19, were two of the five victims killed instantly when the OceanGate submersible suffered a ‘catastrophic implosion’ just 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic, according to the US Coast Guard.
The other victims were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French Navy veteran Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet and British billionaire Hamish Harding.
Tragically, Azmeh Dawood – the older sister of Mr Dawood, the vice chairman of Engro Corporation – told NBC News that her nephew ‘wasn’t very up for it’ but felt compelled to please his father, who was passionate about the 1912 shipwreck.
‘I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath … It’s been crippling, to be honest,’ she told the US outlet from her home in Amsterdam.
University student Suleman (lefT), 19, and his father Shahzada Dawood (right) were two of the five victims who were killed instantly when the OceanGate submersible suffered a ‘catastrophic implosion’
Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding (pictured)
French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was also in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition
Azmeh Dawood – the older sister of Mr Dawood – revealed today that her nephew was ‘terrified’ about the trip and only went on it to please his father
She added: ‘I feel disbelief. It’s an unreal situation.’
Azmeh, who like the other anxious relatives were hoping for a miracle, continued: ‘I feel like I’ve been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn’t know what you’re counting down to.’
She said she ‘personally found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them’, adding: ‘It’s been unlike any experience I’ve ever had’.
Amzeh herself admitted she would not have gotten on the Titan submersible ‘if you gave me a million dollars’.
It comes after Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard revealed at a press conference today: ‘The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,’ explained.
It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid $250,000 each to see the famous shipwreck.
In a gut-wrenching blow for their families, experts say there is little prospect of recovering any of their remains.
Mr Dawood and his son were heirs to the great Dawood business dynasty and amongst the richest people in Pakistan- although they lived in Surrey, England.
BBC Scotland revealed today that Suleman was studying at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
A family statement earlier in the week described him as ‘a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things’.
His mother was Christine and he had a sister called Alina. They had been spending a month in Canada before the dive.
Suleman’s father 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 tonight, saying ‘it is with profound grief that we announce the passing 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 during this difficult period of mourning.
‘We are truly grateful to all those involved in the rescue operations. Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time.
‘We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues, and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need. The immense love and support we receive continues to help us to endure this unimagineable loss.
‘We extend our heartfelt condolenseces to the families of the other passengers on the Titan submersible. At this time, we are unable to receive calls and request that support, condolences, and prayers be messaged instead. Details of their final rites in this world will be announced soon.’
Azmeh – who was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in 2014 and ‘reduced to being in a wheelchair’, said she had fallen out of touch with her brother in recent years.
She had moved from England to Amsterdam to have easier access to medical cannabis – something her family members, including her brother, disapproved of.
Amzeh said she always felt close to Suleman who she decribed as ‘thoroughly good-hearted’.
Following his death, she was reminded of her love for her brother. ‘He was my baby brother, I held him up when he was born.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk