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Coronavirus: Temporary mortuary already taking bodies despite not yet being finished

Police say part of the facility is now in use "as deaths in the West Midlands increase, and mortuaries reach capacity".

Wednesday 8 April 2020 19:20, UK

The temporary mortuary at Birmingham Airport which is reportedly set to become operational in the coming days, as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 8, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
Image: The site is next to Birmingham's NEC, the location of another Nightingale hospital
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A temporary mortuary at Birmingham Airport to help cope with the increase in deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak has already begun storing bodies despite not being finished yet.

Three new white marquee structures have been erected in the last week, next to a large hangar located at the airport's commercial and freight cargo handling area.

And part of the site - which will initially have space for 1,500 bodies - is already being used for storage, according to the West Midlands and Warwickshire strategic co-ordination group (SCG), made up of police, councils and other agencies, including the coroner.

A police helicopter takes off by the temporary mortuary at Birmingham Airport which is reportedly set to become operational in the coming days, as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Image: A police helicopter takes off by the temporary mortuary

A statement posted on West Midlands Police website said: "Part of the facility is already complete and being used for storage as deaths in the West Midlands increase, and regional mortuaries reach capacity."

Officials said the facility would be fully operational by Friday 17 April "at the latest".

It is understood it could expand to accommodate up to 12,000 bodies.

The airport is next to Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) - the location of a new Nightingale Hospital, which is set to open to patients at the weekend.

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In a statement released through the West Midlands Police website, the SCG said: "We would urge bereaved families not to delay in making funeral arrangements for their loved one, particularly because of the current restrictions regarding the number of attendees at funerals.

"Many burial sites and crematoriums are continuing services throughout the bank holiday weekend to prevent prolonged storage.

A temporary mortuary is pictured during construction in Manor Park, east London
Image: A temporary mortuary is pictured during construction in Manor Park, east London

"We understand that these current restrictions mean that you may not be able to arrange the service you want, but we ask you to consider an alternative such as a memorial service or celebration of life at a later date.

"Other considerations include live-streaming the cremation or burial to enable family members and friends to participate."

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The statement concluded that the authorities are working with all bereaved people planning funeral services to make sure all deaths are dealt with compassionately.

Temporary mortuary facilities are also being built in Manor Park in east London, Bristol and Cambridge.

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