The human remains of one of the suspected four victims of an Oldham fire has been formally identified.
Partial human remains that were recovered from Bismark House Mill on Bower Street after a fire in May have been identified through fingerprint analysis to be belonging to Uoc Van Nguyen, police said on Saturday.
Mr Van Nguyen is one of four suspected Vietnamese victims who may have been inside the mill when it caught fire on May 7 this year.
Police officers were only made aware of the four missing Vietnamese nationals on Thursday, July 21 – more than two months after emergency services attended to the fire.
Demolition workers who were called out to the mill discovered the human remains on Saturday, July 23.
READ MORE: Timeline of events over human remains found in Oldham mill
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has announced today that some of the human remains belong to Mr Van Nguyen, though further scientific DNA testing is pending.
The 31-year-old had maintained regular contact with his wife up until the date of the fire, at which time he said he was in a mill.
The three outstanding missing Vietnamese nationals include Cuong Van Chu, who arrived in the UK in June 2019 and maintained regular contact with his wife and children up until May 7.
Duong Van Nguyen arrived in the UK approximately 12 months ago and told his family around three months ago that he was residing in an ‘abandoned house’ while looking for work.
Nam Thanh Lee came to the country in January 2022 and last spoke to his family on May 4 when he told them he was staying in a ‘derelict house’ in ‘Dam’, believed to be Oldham, while looking for work.
The rest of the human remains are yet to be formally identified.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, GMP’s Victim Identification lead, said: “On behalf of all involved in Operation Logan, I send condolences to Uoc’s wife and his loved ones.
"Specially-trained officers are in direct contact with them and to ensure they are fully updated and supported.
“Enquiries 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.”
Greater Manchester Police can be called via 101.
International callers can contact GMP via +441618725050.
Information can also be submitted in English or Vietnamese via the Major Incident Public Portal: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)
Anyone who would like to remain anonymous can share information via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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