A father and son from Surbiton were among five passengers who died onboard the missing Titan submersible.

The US Coast Guard confirmed the news on Thursday evening (22 June) after officials revealed parts of the vessel had been found amidst debris near the wreckage of the Titanic.

The debris was consistent with the "catastrophic implosion of the vessel", Rear Admiral John Mauger said on Thursday.

Shahzada Dawood, 48, was one of Pakistan's richest families and was travelling on the sub with his son Suleman, a 19-year-old student.

Mr Dawood lived with his wife, Christine and other child, Alina, in Surbiton and had been spending a month in Canada prior to the dive.

The Surbiton father was the vice-chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation, and a long-term advisor to the King's charity, Prince's Trust International, with a focus on its work in Pakistan.

Suleman was a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow where he had just completed his first year at the university's business School.

Following news of his and his father's death, Suleman's aunt told NBC News the 19-year-old had been 'terrified' about the trip, but wanted to please his father in what had been described as a once in a lifetime father's day trip.

A family statement described the teenager as a "big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things", and having an interest in Rubik's cubes and playing volleyball.

The Dawood family released a statement on Thursday night morning the loss of the father and son.

It read: "It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. Our beloved sons were aboard OceanGate's Titan submersible that perished underwater. Please continue to keep the departed souls and our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning."

The family expressed their gratitude to those involved in the rescue operations and that their 'untiring efforts' were a source of strength during the traumatic time.

It added: "We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible."

The Pakistani Government offered its condolences to the family with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying: "Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of other passengers on the sad news about the fate of Titanic submersible in the North Atlantic, we appreciate the multinational efforts over the last several days in search of the vessel."

Will Straw, the chief executive officer of Prince's Trust International, said he was "deeply saddened by this terrible news".

The British Asian Trust said it was an "unfathomable tragedy".

"We try to find solace in the enduring legacy of humility and humanity that they have left behind and find comfort in the belief that they passed on to the next leg of their spiritual journey hand-in-hand, father and son," a spokesperson for the trust added.

The 22ft OceanGate craft set of on Sunday morning (18 June) after being dropped into the ocean around 900 miles off the cost of Newfoundland, where The Polar Prince had anchored.

OceanGate provides crewed submersibles for tourism, research and exploration (Credit: Wikimedia Commons - Isabeljohnson25)

One hour and 45 minutes later, the vessel lost contact with the Polar Prince.

On Monday morning, authorities revealed the Titan was missing and a large-scale search operation had been launched.

French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, and British billionaire and pilot Hamish Harding were the other three passengers who tragically lost their lives.