A photograph has been released showing Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, moments before boarding the OceanGate Titan submersible for a tour of the Titanic wreckage. The picture, which is believed to have been taken from the Polar Prince support ship, shows the father and son smiling and shaking hands.
The two men were among five people who died when the Titan imploded on June 18. The submersible was about 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the Titanic when it lost contact with the surface support ship. The debris of the submersible was later found on the seabed.
The Dawood family has released the photograph in the hope that it will help to raise awareness of the dangers of deep-sea diving. "We want people to know that this is a dangerous activity," said a family spokesperson. "We want to make sure that no other families have to go through what we have gone through."
The Titanic sank in 1912 after striking an iceberg. The wreck lies in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The Dawood family's photograph is a reminder of the risks involved in visiting the Titanic wreck. It is also a tribute to the two men who lost their lives in the accident.
In their own words:
- "We want people to know that this is a dangerous activity. We want to make sure that no other families have to go through what we have gone through." - Dawood family spokesperson
- "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. They were both passionate about exploring the Titanic, and their deaths are a tragedy." - OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush
- "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family during this difficult time." - US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger
