'United in grief': Families of Titanic sub tourists pay tribute after group dies in 'catastrophic implosion' near wreck
23 June 2023, 00:59 | Updated: 23 June 2023, 01:17
The devastated families of billionaire Hamish Harding, British national Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, have paid tribute to their loved ones after they died in a 'catastrophic implosion'.
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Mr Harding's family described him as a "passionate explorer" who lived life "for the next adventure" while the Dawood family thanked those involved in the rescue operations.
The US Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday that all five passengers aboard the submersible Titan had died following a "catastrophic implosion".
The group consisted of Mr Harding, British nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman - Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Expeditions and 73-year-old French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet.
The US Navy is understood to have detected “an acoustic anomaly consistent with an implosion” shortly after the Titan lost contact with the surface on Sunday.
They informed rescuers who were able to narrow down the radius of their search before uncovering a 'debris field' 500 metres (1,600ft) from the bow of the Titanic.
In a statement released by Mr Harding's company Action Aviation, the family said they were "united in grief with the other families who have also lost their loved ones".
"Hamish Harding was a loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his two sons, whom he loved deeply," they said.
"To his team in Action Aviation, he was a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend.
"He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer - whatever the terrain - who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure.
"What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it's that we lost him doing what he loved.
"He will leave a gap in our lives that can never be filled. We know that Hamish would have been immensely proud to see how nations, experts, industry colleagues and friends came together for the search and we extend our heartfelt thanks for all their efforts.
"On behalf of the Harding family and Action Aviation, we would like to politely request privacy at this incredibly difficult time."
The Dawood family also released a statement saying: “It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood".
They went on to say: "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."
Explorers Club president Richard Garriott de Cayeux has also paid tribute to the five people lost on board the Titan submersible.
In a statement on Twitter, he said: "Our hearts are broken. I am so sorry to have to share this tragic news.
"Our friends and fellow Explorers club members Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet are lost, along with Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, while trying to reach the RMS Titanic."
Submersible lost on dive to Titanic suffered 'catastrophic implosion' – US Coast Guard
He added: "Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to the Explorers Club. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes.
"Paul-Henri was elected to the Club in 2001 and was one of the foremost experts on submersible expeditions to the Titanic. They were both drawn to explore, like so many of us, and did so in the name of meaningful science for the betterment of mankind.
"They pushed themselves in their entrepreneurial pursuits as they did in exploration."
Undersea expert Paul Hankin said five major pieces of debris helped to identify it as from the Titan submersible - including the vessel's nose cone and the front end bell of the pressure hull.
According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of Oceangate.
The filings said David Lochridge, Oceangate's former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the company's alleged "refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design".
Court papers suggest Mr Lochridge "identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns" but he was allegedly "met with hostility and denial of access" to necessary documents before later being fired.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described the update as "tragic news" and said the UK Government is closely supporting the British families affected.
The White House said the families of those who died had "been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers."
Pakistan's foreign ministry paid tribute to the Dawood family, tweeting: "Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of other passengers on the sad news about the fate of Titanic (sic) submersible in the North Atlantic.
"We appreciate the multinational efforts over the last several days in search of the vessel."
