Families of 'Titanic' Submersible Victims Speak Out, Release Statements After Tragedy

The families of the five victims who were passengers aboard the OceanGate Titan submersible vessel en route to the Titanic wreckage site have all released statements.

If you did not see the news, it is believed that the submersible imploded underwater and took the lives of the five passengers on board.

The five passengers on board were British billionaire Hamish Harding, British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, former French Navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, and chief executive of OceanGate (the company running the voyage) Stockton Rush.

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OceanGate, the company that lead this mission, released a statement, honoring their CEO who was on board, Stockton Rush, as well as the four other victims.

“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. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew,” the company said.

Hamish‘s family, together with his company Action Aviation, released the following statement to People: “Today, we are united in grief with the other families who have also lost their loved ones on the Titan submersible. Hamish Harding was a loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his two sons, whom he loved deeply. To his team in Action Aviation, he was a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a Living Legend.”

The statement continued, “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.”

“He will leave a gap in our lives that can never be filled,” the statement continued. “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. On behalf of the Harding family and Action Aviation, we would like to politely request privacy at this incredibly difficult time,” the statement concluded. Hamish was 58 years old and leaves behind a wife and two sons, and two step children.

The family of the father and son duo – Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman, 19 – released a statement after the tragic news was confirmed.

“Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy, one which has been followed around the world. As with any tragedy of this magnitude, it brings out the best and worst in people. Some go out of their way to contribute and support, others use these moments for personal gains. How one behaves in such circumstances reveals more about their own character than anything else,” the family told the BBC. “The family remains overwhelmed with the love and support that it has received and is grateful to the those who showcased the best in humanity.”

Retired diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet (nicknamed PH), 77, was called “one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history” in a statement released by his family.

“When you think of the Titanic and all we know about the ship today, you will think of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his legendary work. But what we will remember him most for is his big heart, his incredible sense of humor and how much he loved his family. We will miss him today and every day for the rest of our lives,” the family told the BBC.

Paul-Henri had been to the Titanic wreck over 30 times, and was good friends with Titanic director James Cameron, who mourned him after the news broke.

Our thoughts are with the 5 victims of this tragedy and all of their loved ones during this time.