LONDON — The driver of a truck in which 39 bodies were found in southeastern England made his first court appearance on Monday to face criminal charges related to the deaths and suspected human trafficking, even as the authorities were working to establish the identities of the victims.

The driver, 25-year-old Maurice Robinson, has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter over the grisly discovery on Wednesday last week, along with conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering.

Mr. Robinson, who is from Northern Ireland, appeared via a video link in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, according to the Essex police, and a judge ordered him held in custody.

He was not asked to enter a plea and did not request release on bail, according to a local news outlet, The Essex Echo. His case will be sent on to the Central Criminal Court in London, where it will continue in November, the police said.