Disaster dead return home

9:43am Thursday 11th November 2004

THE bodies of the 21 Chinese people who drowned in Morecambe Bay in February have been flown home.

The remains of the victims were repatriated to China last week after an agreement between the Home Office and the Chinese Government.

Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, who is in charge of leading the inquiry into the deaths, says: "We hope that the return of the victims' bodies will help the grieving process for the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

"Our sympathies and condolences go out to these families and to the families of the two victims who are still missing.

"The search goes on for them and we, of course, continue our enquiries into the tragedy."

Five people have been charged in connection with the incident and are awaiting trial.

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