believed to have been

[Rickyrocky]

Hi,

They were believed to have been walking from point A to point B when the accident occurred.
vs.
They were believed to be walking from point A to point B when the accident occurred.

What's the difference? I can't seem to understand, especially, the first sentence. Thanks.

[James]

A slight difference.
#1 => When the accident occurred, they had virtually arrived at point B.
#2 => When the accident occurred, they were in the midst of walking from point A to point B.

[Beeesneees]

That is incorrect, James. There is no indication of what point they were at between A and B in either sentence.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Rickyrocky]

I'm confused about the tenses actually.

[Ctnsite]

It's all about the difference between present continuous and present perfect continuous. And I notice that it is a burning question in many English forum. Anyway, both sound ok for me.