Oldham mill fire: four missing Vietnamese men who disappeared after blaze are named

Greater Manchester police have now named four Vietnamese men who they fear may have died in a mill fire in Oldham.

Cuong Van Chu, Uoc Van Nguyen, Duong Van Nguyen and Nam Thanh Le were reported missing to GMP on Thursday 21 July 2022.

Police believe they may have been in Bismark House Mill, on Bower Street during the fire on Saturday 7 May 2022, but are working to establish what happened.

Contractors demolishing the mill called police when they discovered human remains on 23 July.

Three sets of remains have since been found by investigators at the scene but they have not been formally identified.

The missing four Vietnamese men

Police today revealed more information about the missing men.

Cuong, 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 Saturday 7 May 2022 - the day of the mill fire.

Uoc ,31, also maintained regular contact with his wife but she has not heard from him since 7 May, at which time he said he was in a mill.

Duong, 29 arrived in the UK around a year ago. He last contacted his family about three months ago, at which time he said he was residing in ‘an abandoned house’ while looking for work.

Nam, 21, 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, while looking for work.

What have police said?

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.

“We also continue to appeal for information about the fire or activities at the mill beforehand.”

• Anyone with information should contact Greater Manchester Police via 101 quoting Operation Logan. Information can also be submitted in English or Vietnamese via the Major Incident Public Portal: Public Portal here. Anyone who would like to remain anonymous can share information via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.