SCOTLAND: Reacting to the news of the Titan submersible tragedy, the University of Strathclyde in the Scottish city of Glasgow said Friday it was “shocked and profoundly saddened” by the death of its student Suleman Dawood who was aboard the fateful vessel with his father, Shahzada Dawood.
“The entire Strathclyde community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this terrible accident,” principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, Jim McDonald, wrote in a statement.
19-year-old Dawood was on the submersible Titan with his father 48-year-old father Shahzada Dawood, vice chairman of one of Engro Corporation, to explore the century-old wreck of the Titanic which lies more than 12,000 ft deep in the Atlantic Ocean.
The remains of the deep-sea submersible were discovered Thursday, the US Coast Guard said, after a “catastrophic implosion” that killed all five on board.
The US Coast Guard also stated that the bodies of the crew may never be recovered from the “unforgiving” ocean where they perished.
The announcement came after shattered pieces of the submersible were found 500 meters from the bow of the Titanic.
The search for Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, came to a devastating end when broken fragments of the submersible were located on the ocean floor.
According to Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard, “the crew members likely died before the detection of potential SOS sounds in the water.
The implosion of Titan would have generated a significant sound picked up by sonar buoys.
It is believed that the crew members met an instant death, despite their hopes of seeing the famous shipwreck.
Among other members were British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet.
Unfortunately, experts have said that there is little hope of recovering any of their remains due to the harsh environment of the ocean floor.
OceanGate expressed its condolences to the families of the crew members, acknowledging their dedication and passion for ocean exploration and protection.
The company requested privacy for grieving families during this painful time.
