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30/12/2019

How many cockle pickers died at Morecambe Bay?

How many cockle pickers died at Morecambe Bay?

23 Chinese cockle pickers
A decade ago 23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned when they were trapped by sweeping tides while working in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. Yet, 10 years on, campaigners say workers are still being dangerously exploited in the UK. The headlines from China were full of disbelief. “The Devil’s beach,” one newspaper cried.

What is cockle picker?

Quick Reference. Or cocklers gather shellfish (cockles) from the sand at low tide. This traditional British occupation attained notoriety in 2004 when 23 Chinese migrant workers, hired as cocklepickers were drowned in Morecambe Bay in Lancashire.

Where is Morecambe Bay UK?

northwest England
Morecambe Bay is a large estuary in northwest England, just to the south of the Lake District National Park. It is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 310 km2 (120 sq mi).

How fast does the tide come in at Morecambe Bay?

The Bay is broad and relatively shallow with a large tidal range of up to 10.5 metres at spring tides and a flood tide that rushes into the Bay with the speed of ‘a good horse’. Tidal bores can reach speeds of up to 9 knots and can cover an area the size of a football pitch in minutes.

When was the Morecambe Bay disaster?

The tragedy shocked the nation, the deaths of those 23 cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay on February 5, 2004, revealing the seedy underbelly of slavery here in Britain.

Is Liverpool close to Morecambe?

It is 46 miles from Liverpool to Morecambe. It is approximately 63.7 miles to drive.

What is Morecambe Bay famous for?

Morecambe Bay is renowned for its flat fishing, mainly plaice and for its cockles. But the famous Morecambe Bay shrimp are sadly on the wane. The cross-bay walk is a popular nine mile trek from Arnside to Kents Bank, but beware of deep water, quick sands and tides.

How quick can the tide come in?

Because the Earth rotates through two tidal “bulges” every lunar day, coastal areas experience two high and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes. High tides occur 12 hours and 25 minutes apart. It takes six hours and 12.5 minutes for the water at the shore to go from high to low, or from low to high.

Where does the tide come in fastest?

Located beneath the Borvasstindene Mountains, Saltstraumen claims to be the world’s fastest tide. 520 million cubic yards of water are forced into a 3 km by 0.15km channel.

What is the Morecambe Bay report?

The Morecambe Bay Investigation was established by the previous Secretary of State for Health to examine concerns raised by the occurrence of serious incidents in maternity services provided by UHMBT, including the deaths of mothers and babies, in the period between January 2004 and 2013.

What was the impact of the Morecambe Bay cockle disaster?

The deaths 10 years ago of 23 Chinese cockle pickers who were searching for a “better life” has had a lasting effect on all those associated with the disaster in Morecambe Bay. The events of that night left indelible memories for everyone involved – from the sole Chinese survivor…

How old were the victims of Morecambe Bay?

The Morecambe Bay victims were aged between 18 and 45 A decade ago 23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned when they were trapped by sweeping tides while working in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. Yet, 10 years on, campaigners say workers are still being dangerously exploited in the UK. The headlines from China were full of disbelief.

How many cockle pickers died in Morecambe Bay?

A decade ago 23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned when they were trapped by sweeping tides while working in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. Yet, 10 years on, campaigners say workers are still being dangerously exploited in the UK.

Why was Morecambe Bay called the Devil’s Beach?

The terrible tragedy became known as the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster, with Chinese newspapers calling the bay “the Devil’s Beach” and Morecambe’s lifeboat crew describing the mission as the “most distressing and demanding” rescue operation in their history.