Shahzada Dawood, the vice chairman of Karachi conglomerate Engro, and his son Suleman, 19. Dawood Hercules Corporation / AFP
Shahzada Dawood, the vice chairman of Karachi conglomerate Engro, and his son Suleman, 19. Dawood Hercules Corporation / AFP

Memorial held for father and son who died in Titan submersible



An online memorial service was held on Tuesday for the two men who died in the implosion of a submersible as it descended to the wreckage of the Titanic.

The Dawood family thanked everyone who tried to rescue the father and son or sent condolences from around the world.

The family arranged a prayer service for Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, 19, days after authorities confirmed that everyone on the Titan died.

The submersible carrying five people imploded near the site of the Titanic and killed everyone on board.

Shahzada Dawood's widow, Christina Dawood, was in tears as she shared memories of her husband and son.

Ms Dawood was on board a support vessel on June 18 when she received word that communications with the Titan had been lost during its voyage to the ocean floor.

She thanked those who had helped the family in its time of grief.

The service was broadcast on YouTube through the family’s charity, the Dawood Foundation.

Titanic director James Cameron says he wishes he'd sounded alarm over lost submersible - video

The Titan sub imploded on an expedition to the Titanic wreck, killing all five aboard

Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were members of one of Pakistan’s most prominent families.

Shahzada Dawood's father, Hussain Dawood, said during Tuesday's service that his son and grandson were gifts of God that had been taken back.

He described the two as martyrs and said: “Martyrs go straight to Paradise.”

“What does the father say” when he faces such a tragedy, Hussain Dawood asked.

He said Suleman and Shahzada were very excited about going to see the Titanic and before leaving for their voyage convinced him that “we should go to Antarctica, too" next winter.

“I’m actually convinced they have enriched our lives beyond measure,” Hussain Dawood said, vowing, “We will take forward their legacy.”

Ms Dawood shared memories of when she first met her husband and their wedding in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.

When Suleman was born, her husband was happy like other fathers but “when he held his son for the first time, I just knew these two belong together", she said.

Ms Dawood said she sensed then that he had “found a long-lost companion for his adventures to come".

Updated: June 27, 2023, 10:52 PM