Last updated: 15.01.2024, 06:24 a.m.
By: Julia Stanton
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Christine Dawood lost her son and husband during the dive of the submarine "Titan". In an interview, she talks about her life after the accident.
LONDON — Nearly seven months ago, Suleman and Shahzada Dawood died aboard the submarine "Titan," which imploded while touring the Titanic wreck. But Christine Dawood still can't believe that her husband Shahzada and their son Suleman are no longer with her.
Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman were killed aboard the Titan. © HANDOUT / DAWOOD HERCULES CORPORATION / AFP
Christine Dawood talks about relatives who died in accidents: The world should remember them
In a long interview with the British newspaper Daily Mail, the mother now breaks her silence. For a long time, she was unable to talk about the accident. But she wants the world to remember her husband and son. Not a day goes by when she doesn't miss them, she says in the interview. "It's waking up every morning that... Sometimes I still can't believe it. The possibility that the submarine could implode never crossed our minds." Even more tragic: Actually, Christine should have been on board the "Titan". Since her son showed such great interest in the expedition, she gave him her ticket.
Christine Dawood lost her son and husband during the submarine dive of the "Titan". © Screenshot TikTok/BBC/Oceangate Expeditions/PA Media/dpa
On June 18, Suleman and Shazada boarded the "Titan", while Christine and her daughter Alina followed the expedition aboard the Polar Prince, the submarine's escort ship. But shortly after the start of the dive in the North Atlantic, the "Titan" lost contact with the escort ship. After that, the occupants were searched for four days in an elaborate rescue operation. Then comes the sad certainty: there are no survivors, only debris can be recovered from the machine. When Christine thinks of her son and husband, they would be sleeping in the ocean.
After fatal submarine disaster: Mother celebrates birthday of injured "Titan" passenger
Suleman would have turned 8 on January 20. Just like when she was alive, his mother bought balloons for him this year. She does this to remember him and his father. Her son was a student at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. On the dive, he wanted to set a world record.
For Christine, it's especially hard not to know exactly what happened. Investigations into the case are still ongoing. "But I'm very angry," says the 48-year-old. Even before the dive of the "Titan" there were indications of safety gaps and serious technical defects and problems of the submarine. In addition, the machine had no official certification. (jus)