In a distressing turn of events, Pakistani businessman and Vice Chairman of Engro Corp, Shahzada Dawood, along with his son Sulaiman Dawood, are currently onboard a missing OceanGate tourist submersible vessel. The vessel was en route to explore the wreckage of the Titanic at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, carrying a total of five individuals.
The Dawood family released a statement acknowledging the situation, stating, “As of now, contact has been lost with their submersible craft, and there is limited information available. A joint rescue effort led by multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies is underway to reestablish contact and ensure their safe return.”
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Shahzada Dawood, a trustee of the SETI Institute in California and Vice Chairman of Dawood Hercules Corporation, is known for his business acumen and philanthropic work within Pakistan.
The OceanGate Titan craft submerged on Sunday morning, and approximately one hour and 45 minutes later, the support vessel lost contact with it. OceanGate Expeditions, the company offering eight-day missions to explore the Titanic debris at a cost of $250,000 per person, confirmed the loss of their submarine with crew members on board. The organization is actively exploring all options to rescue the five individuals.
Government agencies, including the US and Canadian navies, along with commercial deep-sea firms, are collaborating in the ongoing rescue operation. Rear Adm John Mauger of the US Coast Guard addressed a news conference, mentioning that the craft has a four-day emergency supply of oxygen. Currently, there is an estimated availability of somewhere between 70 and 96 hours of oxygen.
Among the passengers on board are British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding and renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, adding to the gravity of the situation.
As the rescue effort intensifies, thoughts and prayers pour in for the safe return of all individuals aboard the missing submersible. The family has requested privacy during this challenging time while expressing their gratitude for the concern and support shown by colleagues and friends.
