Investigations are ongoing into the deadly Stuart Highway crash that killed six people, including an infant, in the worst road crash the Territory has seen in over 15 years, NT Police said.

The crash occurred on Friday at around 4:15 pm 12km south of Pine Creek, when a Mitsubishi Pajero is believed to have collided with a road train carrying three trailers, causing a massive fire.

Police said on Sunday that the recovery stage of the investigation has been completed and they will now focus on identifying the victims.

“Due to the severe nature of the crash, identification of the deceased is likely to be a long process as we work to bring some closure to the families involved and to understand how the crash occurred,” said Bruce Payne, the officer in charge of the Forensic Science Branch.

“The DVI [Disaster Victim Identification] team comprises highly trained specialist staff who are working closely with the Forensic Pathologist and Coroner’s Office to confirm the identifications of the deceased.”

Detectives involved in the case said the identities of the victims might take at least a week to confirm. They are also investigating what factors, including speed and human error, may have led to the accident.

Both the driver and a passenger of the road train sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are recovering in the Royal Darwin Hospital.

“The driver and passenger of the truck were medevaced to hospital, there was an infant child that was found deceased from … and there were a number of people in the (Pajero) also deceased,” Superintendent Daniel Shean told the ABC.

The truck was towing three trailers including two filled with mangoes.

“Investigations into the incident remain ongoing and anyone with a dash-cam who was travelling the area, between 2:30 pm and 4:45 pm on Friday, is urged to make contact on 131 444,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said.

“This incident has, and will, impact a large number in the community and all efforts are underway to identify and recover the deceased and to notify their next of kin.”

Anyone with information on the identity and movements of the victims is urged to contact the police.

Police officers stayed at the accident site Friday to set up diversions for vehicles passing through the Stuart Highway.