Police hunting through the fire remains of an abandoned mill where four suspected Vietnamese human trafficking victims were being held have found a second body.
A major incident was declared after demolition workers found human remains at the former Bismarck House Mill in Oldham two months after a fire.
Until now only one body has been recovered, despite four Vietnamese nationals being reported as being missing locally, but this morning Greater Manchester Police announced remains of a second person had now been recovered.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes said: 'We are carrying out an extensive search of the remnants of the mill to ensure any further human remains are recovered in a way which is respectful to both the deceased and the bereaved. Meanwhile, our Major Incident Team are continuing to liaise with partner agencies to ensure potential family members in Vietnam are fully informed and supported.
'Though we've now recovered human remains to suggest that at least two people were in the mill during the fire, we remain conscious of the report we received, on Thursday 21 July 2022, that four Vietnamese nationals were missing and may have been involved in a fire. Alongside the search and recovery efforts, extensive enquiries are being carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire. Any criminal offences identified as part of this will be progressed immediately and appropriately.
'It is fundamental that those involved in this incident are provided with honest and accurate information at all times. We are, sadly, aware that speculative and inaccurate information has been reported but can reassure those affected that Greater Manchester Police will provide updates at appropriate times, having verified the information and followed the correct procedures. The possibility they were victims of human trafficking is among the lines of inquiry being considered by police, MailOnline understands.
The fire happened on May 7 and took four days to extinguish. At the time, it was not thought anyone was inside.
Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said yesterday: 'Any criminal offences identified as part of their investigation will be immediately and appropriately progressed.'
Oldham councillor Aftab Hussain said: '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.