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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Ellen Kirwin

Titanic submersible victims were 'beloved' fathers and sons

The families and friends of the five people who died after Titan imploded have shared tributes.

Five people were killed when the Titan, the submersible vessel exploring the Titanic shipwreck, imploded underwater after going losing contact with the surface. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston.

Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was "consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber". 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.

READ MORE: Grieving families warned bodies of Titan crew may never be recovered

The families of Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, and Hamish Harding have paid tribute after they died in the Titan submersible's catastrophic implosion. In a statement, the Dawood family said: "Our beloved sons were aboard the OceanGate's Titan submersible that perished underwater.

"Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning." They added: "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 statement said.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible." While the sister of Shahzada Dawood and aunt of Suleman, Azmeh Dawood, told NBC News in the US that the 19-year-old was terrified about going on the trip.

This photo combo shows from left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding (AP)

She said: "I feel disbelief... It's an unreal situation. I feel like I've been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn't know what you're counting down to. I personally have found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them."

Shahzada Dawood's company paid tribute to him and his son after their deaths. In a statement, Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Mr Dawood was vice chairman of, said: "With heavy hearts and great sadness, we grieve the loss of our vice chairman, Shahzada Dawood, and his beloved son, Suleman Dawood.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and all those around the world who grieve this unthinkable loss."

Meanwhile, the family of a British billionaire adventurer who died have paid tribute to their "dedicated father". Hamish Harding was described as "a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend" following the news of his death on Thursday.

Undated handout photo issued by OceanGate Expeditions of their submersible vessel named Titan (OceanGate Expeditions/PA Wire)

In a short statement, Mr Harding's family said: "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."

Mr Harding's family said his death has left a "gap in our lives that can never be filled", and that they were "united in grief" with the families of the others who had died. They said: "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."

OceanGate Expeditions vessel used to the wreckage site of the Titanic (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA Wire)

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described the update as "tragic news" and said the UK Government is closely supporting the British families affected. Pakistan's foreign ministry released a statement, sharing their condolences.

The statement said: "Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of other passengers on the sad news about the fate of Titanic submersible in the North Atlantic."

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".

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