‘Profoundly saddened’–UK university mourns student who died in Titan submersible

The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, United Kingdom, has mourned Suleman Dawood, its student.

Dawood was one of the tourists who lost their lives in an underwater trip to see the wreckage of the Titanic.

Dawood was a business student of the institution and had just completed his first year.

The 19-year-old was one of five people on Titan, the submersible, including his father Shahzada Dawood, a prominent Pakistani man; Hamish Harding, a British businessman; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French diver; and Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, the tour diving company.

OceanGate confirmed their deaths on Thursday after rescue teams found debris believed to be from Titan.

John Mauger, rear admiral of the US coast guard, said the submersible suffered a “catastrophic implosion”.

Mauger also said other parts of the debris found were “consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber”.

In a statement on Friday, the university said it was profoundly saddened by the news.

“We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident,” Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said.

“The entire Strathclyde community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this terrible accident.

“Our students’ well-being team remains on hand to offer appropriate support to Suleman’s classmates and the wider Strathclyde community at this difficult time.”