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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 10, 2004

China deeply concerned about UK Bay tragedy: FM

The Chinese government is deeply concerned about the deaths of cockle-pickers in Morecambe Bay, northwest England, and has kept close contact with the British police, Zhang Qiyue, spokeswoman with China's Foreign Ministry, said Tuesday.


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The Chinese government is deeply concerned about the deaths of cockle-pickers in Morecambe Bay, northwest England, and has kept close contact with the British police, Zhang Qiyue, spokeswoman with China's Foreign Ministry, said Tuesday.

Zhang said at a regular press conference that 19 people were reported dead and 14 survived in the tragedy as of February 7. They were collecting cockles in the bay but were swallowed by the surging tide on the night of February 5.

More victims might be found as the rescue work went on, while the British police suspected criminal groups' involvement in the disaster and investigation was under way, Zhang said, noting that the British side believed the victims were Chinese.

The Chinese embassy in UK and the consulate general in Manchester lost no time in contacting the British side for information as soon as the tragedy occurred, she said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing asked the Chinese General Consulate Deng Boqing to identify the victims as soon as possible.

At the same time, Li has called for Britain's cooperation to seek the missing victims and rescue the wounded.

"China is maintaining a close relationship with Britain in thisrespect," the spokeswoman said, adding that China was waiting for more detailed information from the British side.

Zhang also reiterated China's firm policy against illegal migrants and stowaways, saying China was willing to work with the British government to fight the multi-national crime of illegal migration.


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