Public safety measures could be put in place at a Hastings beach where five young south-east London men died during a day trip.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze said he owes it "to the community" to investigate safety measures following the Camber Sands tragedy.

The families of the five men who died in August attended the hearing at Aquila House in Hastings yesterday afternoon (November 1).

Kenugen Saththiyanathan, 18, known as Ken, and his brother Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan, 22, known as Kobi, both of Normandy Way, Erith, and their friends Nitharsan Ravi, 22, of Admaston Road, Plumstead, Gurushanth Srithavarajah, 27, of Elsa Road, Welling and Inthushan Sriskantharasa, 23, of Chadwell Road, Grays, Essex, all died at the infamous East Sussex beach.

The coroner asked the families for their input ahead of the full inquest, including disclosures about the victims' command of English, the extent to which they could swim and any other relevant factors.

One month prior to this tragedy 19-year-old Brazilian Gustavo Silva Da Cruz died at the beach as did Mohit Dupar, 36, from Hayes, who passed away four days later in hospital (July 28).

Robert Cass, of Rother District Council, believed the incoming tide meant the men became stranded and were unable to get free from the sandbar they were standing on.

The beach can attract up to 30,000 day-trippers in summer months.

During the pre-inquest review yesterday the coroner said there was a case to moor boats at sea during busy periods at the popular beach.

He suggested writing to other local authorities to learn more about how "Baywatch towers" based on beaches can help monitor visitors.

He also wanted to hear expert evidence at the full inquest into what public safety measures would be “practical and recommendable” including the possibility of having sections of the beach for swimming only.

Concluding the hearing, the coroner turned to the relatives and said: "None of us forget the extent of the tragedy that they have gone through."

A date and time-scale for their full inquest has not been formally fixed, and a decision on whether the inquest will be heard in front of a jury was deferred.