At least 19 badly decomposing bodies were discovered on a fishing boat drifting in the Caribbean last week. The grim find was made by the coast guard of St. Kitts and Nevis after they responded to reports of a vessel floating aimlessly in the water on Wednesday morning.
- 19 decomposing bodies found on fishing boat
- Investigation by St. Kitts and Nevis authorities
- Vessel believed to originate from West Africa
- Some victims identified as being from Mali
- Police working to identify remains and cause
- Crime scene unit collected evidence from boat
The discovery occurred when the St. Kitts and Nevis coast guard responded to reports of a fishing vessel adrift in the eastern Caribbean. Upon inspection, they found nearly 20 bodies on board, which had been at sea for an extended period. Police Commissioner James Sutton indicated that the vessel is unusual for the region and likely originated off the West African coast.
Some critical details surrounding the incident include:
- The victims were deceased before reaching St. Kitts and Nevis territorial waters.
- Documents found on the vessel suggest that some victims may be from Mali.
- Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the deceased and understand the circumstances of their deaths.
Investigators face challenges due to the advanced state of decomposition, making identification difficult. The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has expressed condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. They are also processing the crime scene and have collected evidence for further investigation.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issues related to migration and the dangers faced by individuals attempting perilous sea journeys. As authorities continue their investigation, they aim to uncover the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking discovery.
