Eighteen cockle pickers have died after becoming trapped by rising tides in Lancashire's Morecambe Bay.
The accident happened after more than 30 cocklers - thought to be Chinese who do not speak English - were caught by rising waters in the Hest Bank area.
Lancashire Police said it was trying to find out if they were illegal immigrants or working for an organised gang, and appealed for information.
A spokeswoman added that criminal charges were a possibility.
The 16 men and two women who died were pulled out of the near freezing sea during a huge rescue effort by coastguards, lifeboats and the RAF overnight.
Owja, kokkels zijn een soort schelpen, die veel waard blijken te zijn.
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