THERE is no evidence that a gang attack which led to the death of an Indian sailor was racially motivated, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Three teenagers - including a 14-year-old boy - were today still being quizzed by police on suspicion of murder after the 32-year-old man from Goa died following an unprovoked attack by teenagers in the village of Fawley.

The victim, whose name has not been released, had just left the Falcon Hotel with a 29-year-old colleague when the pair were approached by a gang of about 20 teenagers, thought to be aged between 13 and 18.

Members of the gang are believed to have attacked the men as they walked along Church Lane.

A member of the public intervened and took the 32-year-old man back to the dock gate near where his ship was moored, but he collapsed and died.

The men had arrived at the dock near Fawley on Southampton Water the day before and were working on The Garonne cargo ship, police said.

The ship left Southampton Water yesterday afternoon.

A post-mortem examination took place yesterday but the results were inconclusive and further tests are to be carried out.

Police are carrying out more door-to-door inquiries today in the Waterside village, after the incident between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday.

A police cordon was put in place at both entrances to Church Lane yesterday while forensic teams scoured the area for evidence. The cordon was eventually lifted late yesterday afternoon.

Police arrested the 14-year-old and two 17-year-old men, who are helping them with their inquiries.

Detectives were also trying to establish how the dead man's colleague managed to get back to the dock gate as it appears the men were parted during the assault.

Senior investigating officer DCI Scott Chilton told the Daily Echo there was no evidence to suggest that the attack was racially motivated.

He said: "We have three people in custody helping with our inquiries. We are speaking to witnesses and we're hoping the facts will become clearer as the investigation continues.

"I have a team of detectives carrying out door-to-door inquiries and reviewing CCTV footage.

"We are trying to ascertain the sequence of events which led up the unfortunate result of this man losing his life.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of The Square in Fawley between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday who may have heard or seen anything."

Contact the Operation Razvan incident room on 0845 045 4545 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.