These sobering images show inside a temporary morgue being built at a disused military base – which could eventually hold more than 5,000 bodies.
Two hangars at RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire have been converted to hold 600 corpses each.
Work is ready to start on two further hangars and five more are on standby if the death toll spirals – bringing the total capacity to 5,400.
The racking includes smaller shelves to accommodate the bodies of children, according to a worker.
Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed that a temporary mortuary is being set up at the former RAF base to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hangar
The worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Two hangars have been done already and two more are on the way, with 600 bodies per hangar.
“It is for storage for bodies infected with coronavirus and they’ll be in body bags and laid on the shelves.
“It is strange working there, everyone is keeping their distance and wearing masks.
“It’s a little bit odd, you can either laugh or cry, but you’ve just got to do your work.
“What’s strange is there are different size shelves for children and adults. It can be a little bit crazy.
“The work initially started last Friday and it finished yesterday.
“As of Monday they can start putting bodies in.
“Undertakers and NHS staff are refusing to touch the bodies so they have got the military in, who’ll be taking the bodies in rental vans.
“There are quite a few rows of Enterprise rental vans there.
“I think there are about 10 scaffolders, a few carpenters and three or four electricians.
“There are another two hangars and they are going to wait and see if the numbers keep growing.
“They are cleared and ready to go. There are another five which can be got ready if needs be. They’d each hold 600 bodies.”
RAF Upper Heyford
RAF Upper Heyford was home to Bomber Command during WWII but was closed in 1993.
Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement: “In common with all other areas of the country there are longstanding contingency plans to provide extra mortuary space during emergency situations.
“Partners from organisations including the NHS, registration services, coroner’s office and local authorities have been meeting regularly to consider requirements that may be placed upon Oxfordshire during the Coronavirus outbreak.
“This has led to a temporary facility being prepared at the former RAF base at Heyford Park, which will be used if required.”
Related – Five London bus workers have died with Covid-19, union says
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