Police confirm ID of Vietnamese migrant, 31, who died in Oldham mill

Police confirm identity of ‘trafficked’ Vietnamese migrant, 31, who died in Oldham mill fire and was left buried in grave of rubble for two months alongside three countrymen

• Uoc Van Nguyen, 31, named by Greater Manchester Police as victim of fire in Oldham Mill Fire on May 7
• The ‘trafficked’ migrant worker was one of four Vietnamese nationals reported missing on July 21
• Police believe three other men were inside the mill during the deadly fire, but haven’t identified remains found
• Nguyen had been living in the UK for a year and last contacted his family shortly before fire three months ago
• The blaze took four days to be put out and remains found by demolition workers as they dismantled wreckage
• It wasn’t until July 23 that bodies were found, with Nguyen and others buried under rubble for two months

Uoc Van Nguyen last contacted his wife on May 7, the day of the fire. He told her he was at a mill that day. The suspected human trafficking victim has been formally identified by cops

Human remains found buried under rubble at a burnt-down mill in Oldham have been identified as those of Vietnamese migrant worker Uoc Van Nguyen, Greater Manchester Police confirmed today.

The 31-year-old was one of four Vietnamese men reported missing to cops on July 21 and who are suspected may have been inside Bismark House Mill on Bower Street in Oldham when it burned down on May 7.

The deadly blaze took four days to be extinguished, with demolition workers only finding evidence of human remains two months after the fire. 

Mr Nguyen maintained regular contact with his wife until the date of the fire, at which time he said he was in a mill, police said.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, GMP’s victim identification lead, sent his condolences to Uoc’s family.

‘On behalf of all involved in Operation Logan, I send condolences to Uoc’s wife and his loved ones,’ he said.

‘Specially-trained officers are in direct contact with them and to ensure they are fully updated and supported.

‘Inquiries are ongoing to establish why Uoc and other, currently unidentified, individuals were in the mill during the fire. Anyone with information which may assist us should contact Greater Manchester Police or Crimestoppers, anonymously.’

Left: Duong Van Nguyen, 29, told his family that he was residing in ‘an abandoned house’ whilst looking for work. Right: Nam Thanh Le, 21, last contacted his family on May 4

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police yesterday named three other people believed to have been in the mill at the time of the fire, who were reported missing on July 21.

Left: Cuong Van Chu, 39, arrived in the UK in June 2019. He maintained regular contact with his wife and children but they have not heard from him since May 7

The force said Cuong Van Chu, 39, arrived in the UK in June 2019 and maintained regular contact with his wife and children until May 7, but his family had not heard from him since.

The force spokesman said Duong Van Nguyen, 29, had been in the UK for about a year and last contacted his family about three months ago, when he said he was living in an ‘abandoned house’ and looking for work.

The fourth missing person was named as 21-year-old Nam Thanh Le, who arrived in the UK in January and last contacted his family on May 4 when he said he was living in a derelict house in ‘Dam’, believed to be Oldham, and looking for work.

Specialist officers declared a major incident and began the search of the fire remains after the first set of remains were discovered by demolition workers last month.

It took 96 hours for firefighters to put out the blaze on Bower Street, a built-up area with many commercial units. However they believed at the time that no one was inside the building.

Specialists confirmed the recovery of remains of three victims, though they have not yet been formally identified. 

Police said they suspect that the four nationals named ‘may’ have been in the building at the time but are ‘keeping an open mind’.

Cuong Van Chu, 39, arrived in the UK in June 2019. He maintained regular contact with his wife and children but they have not heard from him since May 7.

The wife of Uoc Van Nguyen, 31, has also not heard from her husband since May 7. The couple maintained regular contact, and he said he was in a mill on that day.

Duong Van Nguyen, 29, arrived in the UK approximately 12 months ago and last contacted his family approximately three months ago.

He told them that he was residing in ‘an abandoned house’ whilst looking for work.

Nam Thanh Le, 21, last contacted his family on May 4 and told them that he was residing in ‘a derelict house’ in ‘Dam’, believed to be Oldham, while looking for work. He arrived in the UK in January 2022.

Teams have been searching the remnants of the mill since demolition workers discovered human remains on July 23. 

It took four days for firefighters to put out the blaze in Bismark House Mill on Bower Street, a built-up area with many commercial units

Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, GMP’s Victim Identification lead, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Cuong, Uoc, Duong and Nam’s loved ones. 

‘Specially-trained officers have been in direct contact with them and continue to make every effort to ensure they are fully updated and supported in Vietnam, as they would be in the United Kingdom.

‘We are continuing to search Bismark House Mill to ensure the recovery of all human remains and any objects of significance. 

‘Meanwhile, the investigation team is following several lines of enquiry relating to the fire and activities at the mill beforehand.

‘Though we have reason to suspect that Cuong, Uoc, Duong and Nam may have been in the mill during the fire, we are keeping an open mind with regards to how many people were present and their whereabouts. 

‘I, therefore, appeal to them or anyone with information about their whereabouts before or after the fire to contact us. I stress that their safety and welfare is our number one priority.’

Detective Superintendent Hughes also appealed for information about the fire and activities at the mill beforehand.

A red glow can be seen coming from the building in Oldham as it burnt on May 7. Fire crews believed at the time that no one was inside the building

The possibility that the remains of three people found were victims of human trafficking is among the lines of inquiry being considered by police, MailOnline understands.

Another line of inquiry is whether the flames developed in an illegal cannabis factory it is speculated may have been underneath a legitimate tile warehouse, it was previously reported. 

Oldham councillor Aftab Hussain said yesterday: ‘It’s very worrying if the Vietnamese people were being kept in a mill like that.

‘It does concern me that there may have been some human trafficking involved here. It needs thoroughly investigating.

‘If anything illegal is found to have happened, anyone involved should be brought before the courts and punished.’

Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes said: ‘I speak on behalf of all involved in this operation when I say that our thoughts are with the potential family members in Vietnam.

‘Specially trained officers have been in direct contact with them and continue to liaise with partner agencies to ensure they are fully updated and supported.

‘At the scene, extensive search and recovery work continues to ensure any further remains are respectfully recovered.

‘Any criminal offences identified as part of their investigation will be progressed immediately and appropriately.

Yesterday, police found a third body in the building, where suspected human trafficking victims were being held

Assistant chief fire officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Leon Parkes said firefighters followed correct procedures when a decision was made not to enter the mill. Pictured, police and fire crews at the scene

Police have been in direct contact with the family of the victims in Vietnam, but the remains of a suspected fourth victim have not yet been found

Detective Superintendent Hughes also appealed for information about the fire and activities at the mill beforehand. Pictured, police and fire crews at the scene

‘Anyone with information which may assist us should contact Greater Manchester Police or Crimestoppers, anonymously.’  

The cause of the fire has not been revealed. 

Assistant chief fire officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Leon Parkes said firefighters followed correct procedures when a decision was made not to enter the mill, due to concerns about the fire and the building’s structural stability.

But he said there would be a review of the incident and how it was managed.

The incident was also referred to Greater Manchester Police’s Professional Standards Branch for review.

Anyone with information can contact Greater Manchester Police via 101 quoting Operation Logan. 

Information can also be submitted in English or Vietnamese via the Major Incident Public Portal

Anonymous reports can be made to  independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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