A MASS inquest was beginning in London today into the deaths of 93 British people killed during the Asian Tsunami last year.

Relatives of victims from this area were among the hundreds of others gathering at the Olympia conference centre in west London for the four-day hearing.

Among those killed in the Boxing Day tragedy were Stephen Magson, of York, who ran a business in Sherburn-in-Elmet, Benjamin Watts, 29, and his childhood friend, Nova Mills, 28, both of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, and aid worker Robin Needham, formerly of Helmsley.

But Sarah Bent, 19, of Copmanthorpe, and her boyfriend, Robert Rowbottom, of Pocklington, have still not been found, and will not form part of the inquest.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Thewsey, of North Yorkshire Police, last week announced he was returning home from Thailand to tell their families he is closing the case.

The inquest was considering the deaths of people in Sri Lanka today, while those who died in the Maldives will be considered tomorrow, followed by those people killed in Thailand.

Eulogies about each victim, written by their families, were expected to be read out by police family liaison officers.

The inquest, which is the largest to be held in England since the Hillsborough disaster, will include evidence from police, geological experts who will give information about the tsunami, and medical witnesses.

Updated: 10:15 Monday, December 05, 2005