Authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis are investigating the discovery of approximately 19 decomposed bodies found aboard a drifting fishing vessel Wednesday, with documents suggesting the victims originated from Mali in West Africa.
The St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Coast Guard intercepted the partially submerged vessel southwest of Nevis between 11 a.m. and noon on January 29, after receiving reports of an unmanned craft.
“It was a fishing vessel, which is not typically found in the Caribbean,” Police Commissioner James Sutton told The Associated Press. “We are not certain, but we believe that this vessel originated off the West African coast.”
The vessel was towed to the Coast Guard base on St. Kitts, where it was dry-docked for investigation. The Crime Scene Unit has processed the scene and collected evidence.
Sutton said officials face challenges in determining the exact number of bodies and identifying them due to the advanced state of decomposition. Police confirmed that the deaths occurred before the vessel entered St. Kitts and Nevis territorial waters.
The Royal St. Christopher & Nevis Police Force is working to confirm the identities of all deceased individuals and determine the circumstances leading to the tragedy.