The Chinese victims of the Morecambe Bay cockle picking tragedy are being remembered at a service of remembrance 20 years on.
Some 23 Chinese men and ladies drowned when rising tides cut them off from the shore on the evening of 5 February 2004.
They were all victims of slave labour and had been illegally trafficked into the country from Fujian Province in southeastern China searching for a greater life.
Two years after the tragedy, their gangmaster Lin Liang Ren was jailed for 14 years for manslaughter.
The service of remembrance might be held on Monday evening on the Cocklers’ Memorial beside the Morecambe Bay RNLI station.
It might be led by the Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North, and the rector of Morecambe Parish Church, Chris Krawiec.
Bishop North said: “This might be a solemn moment for the community in Morecambe as we join together to recollect the innocent lives lost to greed and slavery within the waters of Morecambe Bay.
“We mourn with and pray for the families and family members of our Chinese brothers and sisters who died 20 years ago and for an end to the curse of recent slavery.”
Rev Krawiec added: “At times like these it is vital to return together as a community, itself made up of various communities, to acknowledge and remember.
“As we accomplish that we also consider how, 20 years on, trafficking and modern slavery stays huge problem and we proceed to call for change and motion to bring the scourge of recent slavery to an end.”
The order of service expresses “deep sadness” over the deaths and adds, “We also long for the day when vulnerable people won’t be targeted, groomed and humiliated.”
The names of the victims might be read out on the service and people attending might be offered a cockle shell to remove as a everlasting reminder of the continuing fight against modern slavery and of those that died that day.
The Mayor, Councillor Roger Dennison, said: “Our thoughts at this sad time are with the families of those that died on this terrible incident 20 years ago and in addition all others who’ve lost their lives over time in Morecambe Bay.
“The tragedy was a stark reminder of the risks posed by its treacherous tides.
“It’s also a time to thank all those that bravely put their very own lives in danger within the rescue operation, particularly the unpaid volunteers of the RNLI.”
