Azmeh Dawood is speaking out about her nephew, Suleman Dawood, who wasone of five passengerswho reportedly died on theTitansubmersiblewhile on aTitanic-bound excursionon Sunday.Speaking to NBC News, Azmeh shared that Suleman went on the voyage to the historic underwater site to please his father,Shahzada Dawood.“I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath … It’s been crippling, to be honest,” she recalled.Alamy Stock PhotoAccording to Azmeh, Shahzada had a passion for theTitanicfrom a young age and was not surprised that he had purchased tickets to travel on the OceanGate submersible for himself and his son.Since the trip was scheduled to depart on Father’s Day, Suleman reportedly decided to go on the trip reluctantly after having shared with a relative that he “wasn’t very up for it” and felt “terrified,” Azmeh explained to NBC News.DAWOOD HERCULES CORPORATION/AFP via Getty ImagesBefore the U.S. Coast Guard and OceanGateannounced their death on Thursday, Azmeh revealed that she was anxiously awaiting answers and feared the worse.“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,” she said. “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.“In a statement to NBC News, Hussain and Kulsum Dawood, Azmeh and Shahzada’s parents, thanked search teams for their “untiring efforts” and asked for the public to keep their family in their prayers, expressing, “The immense love and support we receive continues to help us endure this unimaginable loss.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Speaking about their deathin a statement to PEOPLE, OceanGate described Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, along with fellow passengers Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeole, as “true explorers.““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,” the statement read. “We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.”
Azmeh Dawood is speaking out about her nephew, Suleman Dawood, who wasone of five passengerswho reportedly died on theTitansubmersiblewhile on aTitanic-bound excursionon Sunday.
Speaking to NBC News, Azmeh shared that Suleman went on the voyage to the historic underwater site to please his father,Shahzada Dawood.
“I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath … It’s been crippling, to be honest,” she recalled.
Alamy Stock Photo
According to Azmeh, Shahzada had a passion for theTitanicfrom a young age and was not surprised that he had purchased tickets to travel on the OceanGate submersible for himself and his son.
Since the trip was scheduled to depart on Father’s Day, Suleman reportedly decided to go on the trip reluctantly after having shared with a relative that he “wasn’t very up for it” and felt “terrified,” Azmeh explained to NBC News.
DAWOOD HERCULES CORPORATION/AFP via Getty Images
Before the U.S. Coast Guard and OceanGateannounced their death on Thursday, Azmeh revealed that she was anxiously awaiting answers and feared the worse.
“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,” she said. “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.”
In a statement to NBC News, Hussain and Kulsum Dawood, Azmeh and Shahzada’s parents, thanked search teams for their “untiring efforts” and asked for the public to keep their family in their prayers, expressing, “The immense love and support we receive continues to help us endure this unimaginable loss.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Speaking about their deathin a statement to PEOPLE, OceanGate described Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, along with fellow passengers Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeole, as “true explorers.”
“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,” the statement read. “We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.”
source: people.com
