OceanGate, who oversaw the voyage, paid tribute to the men by saying, “These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure.”

The five victims’ relatives and friends have been grieving together on the Titan submarine.

The expedition’s leader, OceanGate, made the announcement of the passengers’ demise on Thursday afternoon. According to a statement from the company obtained by PEOPLE, “We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost.”

The statement continued, “These men were true explorers who shared a distinct sense of adventure, and a strong enthusiasm for exploring and conserving the world’s waters. We pay respect to our CEO, co-founder, and the other passengers. During this terrible moment, our thoughts are with these five people and every one of their families. We lament their passing and the loss of the happiness they offered to everybody who knew them.

In a news conference on Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that a debris field had been discovered close to the Titanic’s wreckage and that it was consistent with a “catastrophic pressure implosion.” The implosion would have killed all five passengers.

Following the revelation, the pilot’s family, which includes British billionaire Hamish Harding, paid tribute to him and described him as a “loving husband” and “dedicated father.”
His family and Action Aviation, the global sales organization he was the chairman of, released a statement to PEOPLE saying, “Today, we are united in grief with the other families who have also lost their loved ones on the Titan submersible.”

“Hamish Harding was a devoted father to his two sons, whom he loved dearly, as well as a caring husband to his wife. He served as a mentor, an inspiration, a supporter, and a Living Legend to his Action Aviation team.

The 58-year-old, they continued, “lived his life for his family” and “the next adventure.”

“We adored him because he was unique. Whatever the environment, he was a passionate explorer who lived for his family, his business, and the upcoming adventure. His lifetime accomplishments were genuinely exceptional, and if there is any tiny solace to be found in this tragedy, it is that he died doing what he loved.

The statement said, “He will leave a gap in our lives that can never be filled.” “We know that Hamish would have been incredibly proud to see how nations, specialists, industry colleagues, and friends came together for the search, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for all their efforts,” the statement reads. We, the Harding family and Action Aviation, respectfully seek your privacy at this extremely trying time.

With his wife Linda, Harding has two kids, Rory and Giles, along with a stepdaughter, Lauren, and a stepson, Brian Szasz.

The family of businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman, however, claimed they were “overwhelmed with the love and support” they have received.

In a statement to the BBC, they said, “Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy, one that has been followed around the world.”

“Like any tragedy this size, this one brings out the best and the worst in people. While some make an extra effort to help and assist, others take advantage of the circumstances for their own benefit. More than anything else, one’s behavior in such situations speaks volumes about their character.

The statement continued, “The family remains overwhelmed with the love and support that it has received and is grateful to those who showcased the best in humanity.”

Suleman studied at Glasgow’s University of Strathclyde whereas Shahzada was a Pakistani-British businessman. Shahzada also collaborated with King Charles’s British Asian Trust and the Prince’s Trust International.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a former French diver and Titanic scholar, was described as “one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history” by his family.
The 77-year-old’s family told the BBC in a statement: “When you think of the Titanic and everything we now know about the ship, you will think of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his legendary work. But his large heart, hilarious sense of humor, and devotion to his family will be what we cherish most.

The message added, “We will miss him today and every day for the rest of our lives.”

Nargeolet had 35 dives to the Titanic disaster and had also served in the French Navy.