Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are investigating the discovery of a boat that washed ashore on the island of Canouan on Monday carrying the decomposing bodies of 11 individuals believed to be from Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.
According to a statement issued by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition.
The wooden boat and 11 bodies that washed ashore in Little Bay, Cherry Hill, on the island of Canouan last Monday, May 26, 2025, may have originated from the Republic of Mali, in West Africa.
Read More: https://t.co/EgCMmU1sM1 pic.twitter.com/mX5jBJXrNX
— Searchlight SVG (@SearchlightSVG) May 30, 2025
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
Some of the bodies were not fully intact when they were discovered inside the 45-foot vessel, which drifted onto the island’s eastern coastline.
While authorities have not officially identified the deceased, police reported that passports found on board indicated the individuals may have been Malian nationals.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
“This incident is deeply concerning, and we understand the public’s interest in the matter,” police said in a statement. “We assure you that the RSVGPF is treating this investigation with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity.”
This case follows a similar incident earlier this year. In January, a boat carrying the bodies of 19 people was found off the coast of St. Kitts and Nevis.
At that time, investigators also suggested the victims had likely been adrift at sea for an extended period due to the condition of the remains. Authorities in that case also believed the deceased originated from Mali.
The UN Refugee Agency has responded to the most recent discovery. Eujin Byun, a spokesperson for the agency, told the BBC that the victims were likely not attempting to reach the Caribbean.
“We cannot talk on behalf of those who have passed away, but our best guess is that they wanted to take the Atlantic route to get to the Canary Islands,” she said, referring to the Spanish archipelago off the northwestern coast of Africa.
According to Byun, Mali has faced years of ongoing instability, contributing to migration attempts across treacherous routes. “Mali has experienced a cycle of violence since 2012,” she said, adding, “Desperate people make desperate decisions.”
Ongoing political violence and ethnic conflicts have displaced hundreds of thousands in Mali. Although the situation in the Faladié camp in the capital Bamako is precarious, returning to their home villages remains unthinkable for many refugees.https://t.co/cSX6yD2rFH
— NZZ Geopolitics (@NZZReporting) May 18, 2025
The investigation into the cause of death, identity of the deceased, and route of the vessel remains ongoing. Police have not yet released details on how long the boat may have been at sea or whether any distress signals were received.
Forensic examinations are expected to be conducted to assist with the identification process.
Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
Read the full article here
