Vietnamese Vice Ambassador to the UK To Minh Thu (3rd, left) discusses with representatives of the Greater Manchester Police at the scene of the fire (Photo: VNA) London (VNA) - Representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UKare working with local police following the discovery of human remains in abuilding in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said four Vietnamese citizens had been reportedmissing and investigations are underway to determine if the bodies are thosepeople.
An official from the Vietnamese Embassy has visited the scene of the discoveryin the north west of England.
At the scene of the fire (Photo: VNA) Firefighters were initially called to an address in Oldham on May 7 after ahuge blaze broke out. At the time it was not believed anyone was inside thepremises.
But on July 23, demolition staff working on the property discovered humanremains.
GMP received a report on July 21 that four Vietnamese nationals were missingand may have been involved in a fire.
To Minh Thu, Deputy Ambassador of Vietnam in the UK, said immediately afterreceiving the information, on July 25, the Vietnamese Embassy activelycontacted and worked with GMP to discuss the case, process and justificationthe law supports the verification of victims' identities and nationality.
They are also working with overseas Vietnamese living in the UK.
GMP Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said "Victims and the bereavedare at the forefront of our investigations into deaths. As such, whilst work isongoing to confirm the identity of the deceased, we are liaising with partneragencies to ensure potential family members in Vietnam are fully informed andsupported.”
“On behalf of the investigation team, I appeal to anyone with information tocontact them directly or, anonymously, via Crimestoppers. They’re particularlyinterested in hearing from anyone who knows how the building was being used inthe lead up to the seventh of May or who has information about the fire itself,”he said.
The embassy also actively plans to implement protective measures,post-processing necessary in case the victim is confirmed to be Vietnamesecitizens.
Vietnamese citizens who need assistance or have related information can contactthe Citizen Protection hotline of the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK, telephone44 7713 181 501./.
VNA
