Refrigerated containers brought in to store the bodies of victims of the MV Barima tragedy were removed on Saturday, nearly three months after the ferry sank on July 18.

The containers provided additional storage during the recovery operation, allowing authorities to preserve the bodies while identification procedures and arrangements for their release to families were carried out.

The containers have been in the areas since July 21, when Prime Minister Mark Phillips announced that four refrigerated containers had been deployed to support the handling and identification of victims at Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast after local facilities became overwhelmed.

The MV Barima was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it sank, triggering a search, rescue and recovery operation involving local agencies, fishermen and international teams.

By the time authorities announced the end of the active recovery operation in early August, 73 bodies had been recovered. Seventy-six people had survived, while another 30 remained unaccounted for, according to the figures reported at that time.

As of August 4, five of the recovered bodies remained unidentified, putting the number identified at 68. An updated identification total has not been verified.

Footage of the removal shows the containers being moved. The reason for their removal, their destination and the arrangements for any remains still awaiting identification have not been confirmed.

The removal comes as the Commission of Inquiry continues examining the circumstances of the sinking and the emergency response. Recent testimony has addressed difficulties encountered by divers trying to access the wreck.

A family member identifies the body of a victim of the M.V Barima tragedy
Survivors of the M.V, Barima tragedy are picked up by the search and rescue team