- Five men died while on an OceanGate mission to the bottom of the ocean floor to see the Titanic wreckage
- Their descent began on June 18, 2023, and they were reported missing later that evening
- They were presumed dead four days later on on Thursday, June 22, 2023
Four days after five men began their expedition to tour the Titanic wreck in OceanGate’s Titan submarine, they were presumed dead following a “catastrophic implosion.” A remote-operated submersible found “five major pieces of debris” 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic — including Titan’s tail cone — the commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, Rear Admiral John Mauger, revealed in a press conference on Thursday, June 22. “In consultation with experts from within the Unified Command, the debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber,” he confirmed.
“Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families,” Mauger continued. “On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire Unified Command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families,” a Coast Guard spokesperson said. The five passengers on board included: British-born billionaire Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-olf son, Suleman, French maritime expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and the CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush.
OceanGate — which successfully completed a dive to the Titanic wreck in 2021 and 2022, per Forbes — also released a statement on Thursday afternoon, confirming that it had lost its five voyagers. “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,” the statement read.
“This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss,” OceanGate continued. “The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organizations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission. We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families.”
Despite OceanGate sounding absolutely devastated over the loss, a family member of Harding, Kathleen Cosnett, slammed the company for waiting hours of receiving no contact from Titan to call for help. “It’s very frightening,” Harding’s 69-year-old cousin told the Telegraph (via Independent) on June 22. “[It] took so long for them to get going to rescue [them], it’s far too long. I would have thought three hours would be the bare minimum.” OceanGate reportedly waited eight hours before reporting Titan’s disappearance.
Cosnett is not the only family member who has spoken out about the tragedy. Read on to see statements from other family members of the those who died while taking a trip down to the ocean floor below.
Azmeh Dawood
Azmeh Dawood — the older sister of Shahzada Dawood and aunt of Suleman Dawood — revealed on June 22 that her nephew “wasn’t very up for” the voyage to the Titanic, but did so — despite being “terrified” — because it meant so much to his father. “I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath,” she told NBC News over the phone from her home in Amsterdam. “It’s been crippling, to be honest.”
She also described her younger brother as “obsessed” with the Titanic. Azmeh recalled that she and Shahzada would watch a documentary about the Titanic growing up, and that Shahzada often visited museums revolving around the wreck.
The Dawood Family
— Dawood Foundation (@DawoodTdf) June 22, 2023
Shahzada and Suelman’s family expressed “profound grief” following the news of their family members’ horrific deaths. “Our beloved sons were aboard OceanGate’s Titan submersible that perished underwater. Please continue to keep the departed souls and our family in your prayers,” the family began in a Twitter statement posted on June 22. “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.”
The statement went on to thank all involved in the rescue mission. “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 family continued. “The immense love and support we receive continues to help us to endure this unimaginable loss.”
The Dawood family concluded, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers on the Titan submersible. At this time, we are unable to receive calls and requested support, condolences, and prayers be messaged instead. Details of their final rites in this world will be announced soon.”
Sidonie Nargeolet, Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s Daughter
The 39-year-old daughter of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Sidonie, said she “cried a lot” when she found out on Monday, June 19 that her father may be in danger before recalling her last interaction with him. “He sent me a message a week before [getting in the submersible] telling me the weather was bad, so they hadn’t been able to go down, but that there was a great atmosphere,” she told Reuters before her father was declared dead. “I sent him a message on Sunday for Father’s Day but he didn’t reply.”
Sidonie also noted that her father was aware of the dangers of traveling down to see the Titanic, as he did so in 1987. “He knows how to handle a crisis situation. He is prepared for it. Here, I think that with the other people he would have explained to them, therefore, to breathe gently, so that we use less oxygen,” she explained. “And we also knows how to reassure them, that’s very important. Maybe kick the submarine, so they can hear it.”
Sidonie’s interview came before her father was declared dead. At the time, she said she had mixed emotions about the possible catastrophe but knew her father was happy at the time he embarked on the voyage. “If they are not found, it will be very sad for us because we will not see him again. What he liked the most was to be in a submarine, (near) the Titanic. He is where he really loved being. I would prefer him [dying] at a place where he is very happy,” she said.
“So whether he’s in a submarine and whether he’s in the Titanic, I know he likes it. I hope there will be a good outcome, that they will find him,” Sidonie added. “In any case … he is happy where he is … That’s reassuring.”
The Harding Family
Hamish Harding’s family, which includes his wife Linda, their two sons, and two stepchildren, and his company, Action Aviation, paid tribute to the late British billionaire in a statement to PEOPLE. “Today, we are united in grief with the other families who have also lost their loved ones on the Titan submersible,” the statement read. “Hamish Harding was a loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his two sons, whom he loved deeply. To his team in Action Aviation, he was a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a Living Legend.”
The family and Action Aviation continued, “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.”