OceanGate Expeditions’ small submersible Titan may have exploded either during or after its descent toward the Titanic wreck last Sunday. In all likelihood, all occupants died almost immediately.
There were 5 people on board the Titan. Oceangate boss Stockton Rush, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Narjolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding and finally British-Pakistani businessman Shahjata Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleiman.
Hamish Harding, Stockton Rush, Paul-Henri Narjolet, Suleiman Dawood and Shahjata Dawood
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Scared, but did it for his father
Except for Suleiman, all the passengers were very interested in the iconic ship Titanic which sank in 1912. According to his aunt Azme Dawood, the young man was looking forward to a trip to the wreck of the Titanic with his father.
He reportedly told a relative he was “terrified” about diving to the wreck with the submarine. He did it anyway to please his father. Father’s Day was celebrated last weekend in North America. His father had a keen interest in the Titanic for many years. “He didn’t want to take that fun away from his father that weekend.” Azme tells American channel NBC.
I feel like I’m stuck in a bad movie
She could not believe that her cousin and brother were dead. “I feel like I’m stuck in a really bad countdown movie, but you don’t know what. I can hardly breathe when I think about them.”
In a statement, Daoud’s family said a tragedy of this magnitude “brings out the best and worst” in people. “Some people do their best to support us, others take advantage of the situation for themselves. It says a lot about their character.”
Sulaiman and Shahjata Dawood
“He died doing what he wanted”
Other families and relatives are also grieving the loss of their loved ones. Billionaire Harding, for example, is admired for his sense of adventure. “He is our inspiration, support and living legend,” his company Action Aviation said in a statement. “He’s truly unique, and we applaud him for that.”
According to this statement, the flamboyant billionaire was “a very passionate adventurer”. “He was always looking for the next adventure.” Before his dangerous dive to the Titanic, he had already completed a trip as a space tourist. “What he accomplished was remarkable,” he continues. “We take solace in the fact that he died doing what he loved.”
We take solace in the fact that he died doing what he loved
Finally, the relatives thanked everyone who helped in the search for the missing submarine. Hamish would have been proud to see so many countries, professionals, colleagues and friends come together to find him.
Hamish Harding
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Mr. Titanic stayed with Titanic
The family of French diver, explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Narjolet will remember him as “one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history”. The 77-year-old Narjolet had already completed more than 35 dives to the famous wreck before his last fatal dive.
He felt at home at sea and accepted all the associated risks
Much of what we now know about the famous ship comes from Paul-Henry and his famous works. Because of his extensive expertise on the ship, he was sometimes referred to as “Mr. Titanic”. “However, we will remember him mostly for his big heart, his incredible sense of humor and how much he loved his family.”
“He felt at home at sea and accepted all the associated risks.” his stepson, John Bassel, told CBS News“It means a lot to us that he spent his last moments near that place – the wreck of the Titanic – and it means a lot to him.”
Paul Henri Narjolet