Heartbreaking photo shows dad and son before fatal sub implosion
A heartbreaking photo has been shared of the father and son shortly before they boarded the Titan sub.
Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old Suleman were among the five passengers on board OceanGate's tiny submersible when it disappeared on 18 June.
They had paid $250,000 to be part of the expedition down to the wreck of the Titanic, which lies over two miles beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.
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However, less than two hours into the descent, the crew on the surface lost contact with the sub.
And despite a huge search and rescue operation, it was announced on 22 June that the vessel had most likely suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' and everyone on board had died.
It was recently revealed the men's final moment were most likely spent in the dark listening to music.
Rear Admiral John Mauger said during a press conference: “In consultation with experts from within the unified command, the debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.
“Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families.
“On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. I can only imagine what this has been like for them."
Christine Dawood has since spoken to the New York Times about the devastating loss, sharing with the outlet one of the last known photos of Shahzada and their son.
The picture shows the pair wearing lifejackets and helmets on board a ship.
Passengers had been assured that the submersible was perfectly safe, with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who piloted the trip, claiming it was 'safer than crossing the street'.
Christine said: "That engineering side, we just had no idea. I mean, you sit in a plane without knowing how the engine works.
"It was like a well-oiled operation — you could see they had done this before many times."
And even when they lost contact with the vessel, Christine, who had originally planned on going on the expedition before the pandemic, was told not to worry.
However, prior to the expedition, Suleman was said to have been very apprehensive about it.
In an interview, Azmeh Dawood, the older sister of Shahzada and Suleman’s aunt, said the teenager was ‘terrified’ and that he ‘wasn’t up for it’, but that he went along as it was Father’s Day and his dad was ‘absolutely obsessed’ with the Titanic.
Sharing the agonising experience of learning of their deaths, Azmeh added: "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. I never thought I would have an issue with drawing breath. It's been unlike any experience I've ever had."
Dominic Smithers