Bodies of victims of Oldham mill fire returned home to Vietnam
Four men were confirmed dead after a huge fire at the Bismark House Mill last year
The bodies of four Vietnamese nationals who died in a fire at a mill in Oldham last year have been returned home to their families.
Flames broke out at Bismark House Mill on May 7 2022, with a search of the site taking around six months.
Partial remains of four victims recovered from the site of Bismark House Mill, Bower Street, Oldham were identified as Uoc Van Nguyen, Cuong Van Chu, Duong Van Nguyen and Nam Thanh Lee.
Uoc maintained regular contact with his wife until the date of the fire, at which time he said he was in a mill.
Cuong arrived in the UK in June 2019 - he maintained regular contact with his wife and children but they have not heard from him since Saturday 7 May 2022.
Duong arrived in the UK approximately 12 months ago - he last contacted his family in the month before the fire at which time he said he was residing in ‘an abandoned house’ whilst looking for work.
Nam arrived in the UK in January 2022 - he last contacted his family on Wednesday 4 May 2022, at which time he said he was residing in ‘a derelict house’ in ‘Dam’, believed to be Oldham, whilst looking for work.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, GMP’s Disaster Victim Identification lead, said: “It is a huge relief for the bereaved families to finally have their loved ones back in Vietnam."
"They have been extremely patient during what has been a difficult time for them, as we ensured that all remains were ethically recovered and identified.
"Our thoughts will remain with them as they come to terms with their losses.
"Whilst we met with them last week as we finalised repatriation, they will continue to be updated via family liaison officers and translators.”
A criminal case into the fire remains open, with four people currently out on bail.