POLICE are continuing to question seven people in connection with the worst tragedy in Morecambe Bay in recent years, which claimed the lives of 19 Chinese cockle-pickers, reports Ellis Butcher.

A major national and international police investigation was launched on Thursday after the workers died when they were cut off by incoming tides while cockle-picking in darkness.

The tragedy unfolded two-and-a-half miles off Hest Bank on Thursday night as the tide rushed up two channels surrounding the bed they were working before they could reach dry land.

Despite a massive rescue operation involving coastguards, RAF helicopters and police, which lasted for hours, the effort to save the workers turned into a recovery operation as 19 bodies were brought ashore.

Since the tragedy, Lancashire police have launched a major criminal investigation.

Three men and two women were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Sunday and police confirmed they were among the 16 who survived the ordeal.

A further two men surrendered to police custody at stations in Lancashire on Monday and detectives are holding interviews across Preston and Blackpool.

The focus of the operation has so far been Merseyside, where properties have been raided and computers and documentation seized.

Lancashire police said yesterday (Tuesday) that the bay was no longer being treated as a crime scene, which saw another influx of cocklers head out on to the shore to continue work.

None of the 19 dead have yet been formally identified and Lancashire Coroner Howard McCann has said it could take months. Nine of the 16 survivors are asylum-seekers, five are known to the Immigration Service and four have since claimed political asylum.

Two of the survivors are white European and the rest are mainland Chinese nationals.

Witnesses and anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the incident should contact Lancaster Police on 01524-63333.

Relatives and friends of those who died can contact the casualty bureau on 0870-902-0999. Police staff and interpreters are on hand with information and to deal with questions.