The youngest passenger of the submersible that disappeared and imploded while taking five people to view the Titanic wreckage felt "terrified" about the trip and "wasn't very up for it", his aunt revealed.
All five of those on board the vessel have now been confirmed as dead with the US Coastguard announcing the debris discovered close to the Titanic wreckage was from the missing submarine.
19-year-old university student Suleman Dawood died alongside his father Shahzada, the sub's pilot and chief executive Stockton Rush, British businessman and explorer Hamish Harding and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
READ MORE: What is an implosion on a submarine? Titanic 'Titan' debris found as worst fears realised
Yesterday, the US Coast Guard offered its "deepest condolences" to the families after the tail cone of the submersible was found around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage.
In a press conference, Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was "consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber".
After the sad announcement, Azmeh Dawood, the older sister of Mr Dawood said that her nephew had expressed hesitation about joining the expedition, the Mirror reports.
However, eventually he accepted and went aboard OceanGate's 22-foot submersible as the trip fell over Father's Day weekend and he wanted to please his dad, who was passionate about the lore of the Titanic.
The woman told NBC News: "I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath ... It's been crippling, to be honest."
Talking after the Coast Guard's announcement, Azmeh said, sobbing: "I feel disbelief. It's an unreal situation."
She said that over the past few days, she constantly checked the news in the hope of finding out some updates about her brother and nephew, adding: "I feel like I've been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn't know what you're counting down to.
"I personally have found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them."
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014, Azmeh moved from England to Amsterdam so she would have easier access to medicinal cannabis.
However, she explained that some family members, including her younger brother, disapproved of her use of cannabis and started speaking to her less frequently.
But despite their fall-out, speaking about her brother, she said: "He was my baby brother. I held him up when he was born."
She added that Shahzada was "absolutely obsessed" with the Titanic from a young age and when they were kids in Pakistan, the siblings would constantly watch the 1958 film "A Night to Remember," a drama about the sinking of the cruise liner.
The family of Shahzada Dawood and son Suleman released a statement yesterday after the loss of the two men was confirmed, brought out 'best and worst in people'
It read: “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 remains overwhelmed with the love and support that it has received and is grateful to the those who showcased the best in humanity.”
The University of Strathclyde also paid tribute to Suleman Dawood, who was a student at the Glasgow university and had just completed his first year of studies at Strathclyde business school.
The university said: “The staff and students of Strathclyde have been shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident.
“The entire university community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all of those affected by this terrible accident.
“Our student wellbeing team is on hand to offer appropriate support to Suleman’s Strathclyde classmates and the wider community at this difficult time.”
In a statement, OceanGate Expeditions said: "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."
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry offered its "deepest condolences" to the Dawood family and the families of other passengers.
In a Twitter post, a spokesman said: "We appreciate the multi-national efforts over the last several days in search of the vessel."
