The four asylum seekers who died at sea last week were in a dinghy that was “wholly unsuitable” for the crossing from France to the UK. Efforts to identify those who died off the coast of Kent continue, and as a result, they could not be named at an inquest that began this morning. They were, however, all confirmed to be men – two Afghans and two Senegalese. Katrina Hepburn, area coroner for Central and South East Kent, officially opened the inquest at Maidstone’s County Hall. She then suspended it due to Kent Police’s ongoing criminal investigation. Det Insp Ross Gurden confirmed in a written report for the hearing that the four victims’ identities were unknown at the time, but that efforts were being made to identify them. This includes attempting to recover data from their water-damaged phones. He confirmed that the tragedy occurred within UK territorial waters. HM Coastguard notified Kent Police of the search and rescue operation at 3.42 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14. A dinghy capsized in the Channel off the coast of Romney Marsh, but the rescue effort, which included 14 boats, four helicopters, and a fixed-wing plane, saved 39 lives. The survivors were transported to Dover’s asylum seeker reception centre and given medical attention. According to DI Gurden: “The victims were in a large rubber dinghy with an outboard motor, which was completely inadequate for the crossing. Four bodies were recovered from the water.” Three people were rescued by Dover or Dungeness lifeboats. One was flown to Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital. Doctors certified all of them dead between 6.22 and 11.24 a.m. that morning. On Monday, post-mortem examinations were performed, and the preliminary cause of death was determined to be drowning. DI Gurden confirmed that Kent Police had launched a criminal investigation and were in contact with foreign law enforcement agencies. 
