The aunt of the teenage son who tragically lost his life in the Titanic submersible has revealed that he was “terrified” about the trip and “only agreed” to join for Father’s Day.
The vessel vanished less than two hours into its deep-sea expedition, with five individuals on board: OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman Dawood.
After an extensive search in the Atlantic Ocean, the US Coast Guard recently announced that they believe the submersible experienced an implosion and suffered a catastrophic failure.
OceanGate released a statement addressing the presumed fate of the passengers, expressing deep sorrow: “We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss.”
Azmeh Dawood, the aunt of Suleman Dawood, paid tribute to her nephew, describing him as someone who would do anything for anyone.
Despite being fearful, he agreed to embark on the submersible journey as a Father’s Day treat for his father, even though he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about it.
Azmeh revealed that Suleman was “terrified” but wanted to create a bonding experience and provide his father with an adventure of a lifetime, as his father had a fascination with the Titanic wreckage.
Speaking before their deaths were confirmed, Azmeh expressed her anguish, stating, “I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath… It’s been crippling, to be honest.”
She continued, sharing Suleman’s apprehension about the trip, saying, “Suleman had a sense that this was not okay and he was not very comfortable about doing it. But it was a Father’s Day thing. It was a bonding experience, and he wanted the adventure of a lifetime just like his father did. His father wanted it, and that was Suleman all the way – he’d do anything for anyone.”
Azmeh revealed that Shahzada had been captivated by the Titanic since his childhood, and going on the submersible journey fulfilled his lifelong dream in an extraordinary manner.
She expressed, “It was his biggest wish, dream, everything. For Shahzada, he fulfilled his dream in an extraordinary way. He’s become part of the Titanic legend. I mean, in those terms, it could be nothing greater.”
RIP.
