Four asylum seekers who died at sea last week were in a dinghy which was "wholly unsuitable" to make the crossing from France to the UK, say police.

Efforts continue to identify those who lost their lives off the Kent coast and because of this they could not be named at an inquest opening this morning.

However, they were all confirmed as male - two Afghan and two Senegalese.

Katrina Hepburn, area coroner for Central and South East Kent, formally opened the inquest at County Hall in Maidstone. She then suspended it because of the continuing criminal investigation by Kent Police.

Det Insp Ross Gurden, in a written report for the hearing, confirmed that the four victims' identities were unknown so far but efforts were being made to name them. This includes trying to salvage information from their water-damaged phones.

He confirmed the tragedy happened inside UK territorial waters.

It was at 3.42am on Wednesday, December 14, that Kent Police were told by HM Coastguard of the search and rescue operation.

A dinghy had capsized in the Channel off the coast of Romney Marsh but the rescue - involving 14 boats, four helicopters and a fixed-wing plane - had saved 39 lives.

The survivors were taken to the asylum seeker reception centre at Dover and given medical attention.

DI Gurden said: "The victims had been in a large rubber dinghy with an outboard motor, which was wholly unsuitable to make the crossing.

"The four deceased were recovered from the water."

Three were brought to shore either by Dover or Dungeness lifeboats.

One was flown to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

All were certified dead by doctors between 6.22 and 11.24 that morning.

Post mortem examinations took place on Monday and provisional cause of death was given as being consistent with drowning.

DI Gurden confirmed that Kent Police had launched a criminal investigation into the tragedy and were liaising with foreign law enforcement agencies.

He said personal paperwork and mobile phones from the victims had been found but had been damaged by seawater.

Efforts were being made to salvage information from them.

Ms Hepburn said: "I am satisfied this case comes under my jurisdiction and the circumstances should be investigated.

"I am opening the inquest but suspending it on the basis that criminal charges may be brought."

She said this would be under review, subject to updates from police.

It is understood another four people are still missing following the tragedy, which happened 13 months after 32 more lives were lost at sea.

The people on board the sunken boat had been men, women and children from countries such as Senegal, Afghanistan, India and Iraq.

The search was called off on December 16.

On Monday, Ibrahima Bah, 19, of no fixed address, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court after being accused of piloting the stricken boat.

He pleaded not guilty to facilitating attempted illegal entry to the UK and was remanded in custody to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on January 16