Police identify remains of four men found following mill fire

The remains of four men found following a mill fire have been identified after police travelled to Vietnam to collect DNA samples.

On Friday, Greater Manchester Police said the men had been identified as Cuong Van Chu, 39, Uoc Van Nguyen, 31, Duong Van Nguyen, 29, and 21-year-old Nam Thanh Le.

The spokesman said eight GMP officers had travelled to Vietnam in early autumn to obtain statements and DNA samples, required for criminal and coronial proceedings, from 18 people across different regions.

A search of the remnants of the mill, which started on July 23, continues.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “The thoughts of all involved in this operation remain with these men’s loved ones in Vietnam.

“Though we have been liaising with them for several months, this development will understandably be upsetting.

“Since the first discovery at the end of July, GMP and partner agencies have completed a huge amount of work, both at the site and behind the scenes, to enable the completion of essential overseas inquiries.

“The deployment to Vietnam enabled us to obtain essential statements and DNA samples but also to meet the families face-to-face, to ensure the service they receive is not compromised by the distance between Greater Manchester and Vietnam.

“Though the identification is an important milestone for the operation, our work is far from over. At the site, work will continue until the search is complete.

“Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the criminal investigation team will exhaust all lines of inquiry to ensure any criminal offences are identified and those responsible face justice.

“I would like to use this opportunity to publicly thank the local community and our partner agencies for supporting this operation. Not forgetting our officers and staff, who are leaving no stone unturned in investigating the circumstances surrounding these deaths and finding answers for the families.”