The late 19-year-old Suleman Dawood, son of the late Shahzada Dawood, Vice-Chairman of Engro Corporation, had a sense of dread before embarking on his journey aboard the OceanGate submersible, according to his aunt, Azmeh Dawood.
In a poignant interview, Azmeh, Shahzada’s older sister, revealed that Suleman had expressed his reluctance and fear to a relative about the trip to witness the Titanic wreckage. He admitted that he “wasn’t very up for it” and felt terrified.
Despite his reservations, fate dealt a cruel blow as the voyage coincided with Father’s Day weekend, and Suleman, eager to please his late father, decided to accompany him. Azmeh shared that Shahzada had an ardent passion for the lore of the Titanic.
Recalling her brother’s lifelong fascination with the ill-fated ship, Azmeh recounted an incident when Shahzada, upon meeting her husband, requested to watch a four-hour documentary on the Titanic together. Thus, it came as no surprise to her when she discovered that her brother had purchased tickets for the OceanGate mission.
In a somber statement released on Twitter, the Dawood family announced the tragic loss of their loved ones and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers who perished in the expedition. The incident serves as a reminder of the profound impact of a passion intertwined with fear and the untold risks of exploring the depths of the ocean.