The dramatic collapse of a building on King Street in Oldham on March 24 has led to more than 40 residents being moved into emergency accommodation and sparked concerns about human trafficking and modern slavery in the area. The incident, which saw the structure crumble onto the pavement just after 12.30pm, prompted a significant emergency response and investigations into overcrowded rental flats that were reportedly operating without official registration of tenants.

Initial fears that an undocumented individual might be trapped under the rubble triggered a thorough search-and-rescue operation involving Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Police. While no such person was found, the situation has raised serious questions about living conditions and tenant registration in nearby buildings. These suspicions have been referred to Greater Manchester Police, who took part in a multi-agency meeting with representatives from several government organisations to discuss the case.

The building that collapsed, at 31 King Street, has been part-owned by local councillor Kamran Ghafoor and his business partner Sameer Zulqurnain under the company KKS Investors since 2019. It is important to note that individuals living in this specific property are not believed to form part of the human trafficking concerns. The issues relate to other overcrowded flats in neighbouring buildings, though it remains unclear how many people may be affected.

Neighbours reported hearing the walls crash to the ground, with debris crushing a bus stop outside the property. Emergency services quickly arrived with multiple fire engines, cordoning off the area and evacuating the entire street due to structural fears and a gas leak caused by the collapse. Five people were injured in the incident, with two treated in hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening or life-altering, according to the council.

One man who was inside the building at the time described his ordeal as "quite traumatising," adding he has been unable to sleep since. "It’s a miracle that I came out," he told local media. "Since that time I’ve not slept, if I try to sleep I feel like a building is falling on top of me." Former residents of 31 King Street have been unable to retrieve their belongings from the rubble, including phones and important documents.

In a separate development, police initially suspected a man had gone missing in the debris, leading to a search using a drone and a search dog. He was later found alive and well elsewhere. The Health and Safety Executive, a government body, is now investigating the cause of the collapse, while the National Crime Agency has said it cannot confirm or deny any investigations, and Immigration Enforcement did not respond to requests for comment.

Councillor Ghafoor expressed he was "extremely relieved" no one was seriously hurt and claimed KKS Investors has "acted responsibly at all times, following all appropriate rules, regulation, and safety procedures." However, the ongoing investigations by multiple agencies, including concerns over human trafficking, underscore the severity of the situation for the local community.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about overcrowded or unregistered flats in the area to come forward. The incident has left the King Street community shaken, but efforts are focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of all those affected by the collapse and its aftermath.