Suleman Dawood, a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK, has tragically passed away, News About Nigeria reports.
Dawood was among the group of tourists who embarked on an underwater expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic.
He was a business student and had just completed his first year of studies.
The 19-year-old was part of a five-person team aboard the submersible called Titan.
The other individuals included his father, Shahzada Dawood, a well-known figure from Pakistan; Hamish Harding, a British entrepreneur; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French diver; and Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, the diving company organizing the tour.
OceanGate confirmed the deaths of the individuals involved on Thursday, after search and rescue teams discovered debris believed to be from the Titan.
According to Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard, the submersible experienced a devastating implosion.
He further noted that the recovered debris suggested a catastrophic failure of the pressure chamber.
Expressing their deep sorrow, the university issued a statement on Friday, mourning the loss.
Jim McDonald, the principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, conveyed the shock and profound sadness felt by the entire institution.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this tragic accident.
Additionally, the university assured that their student support team would be available to provide assistance to Suleman’s classmates and the broader Strathclyde community during this challenging time.
Azmeh, the aunt of Suleman Dawood, shared heartbreaking details about her nephew’s state of mind before the ill-fated journey.
According to her, Suleman was filled with fear and hesitation, having reservations about embarking on the underwater expedition.
However, driven by a strong desire to fulfill his father’s wishes and coinciding with Father’s Day weekend, Suleman made the difficult decision to join the passengers aboard OceanGate’s submersible.
Tragically, the Titan submarine, along with all five individuals on board, is now believed to have perished.
