Human remains of 11 people found on vessel washed ashore in Caribbean island

Police in the Eastern Caribbean have launched an investigation into a vessel that washed ashore on the island of Canouan, containing the remains of at least 11 people in an advanced state of decomposition. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) received a report on Monday morning about a suspicious boat that had been discovered along the coastline near Little Bay and Cherry Hill.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers from the Canouan police station found the boat, measuring 45 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 6 feet deep, grounded in the area. The remains of the 11 individuals onboard were in an advanced state of decomposition, with some not fully intact. Several passports were recovered from the boat, indicating that the individuals may have been from the West African country of the Republic of Mali.

While the identities of the deceased have not been officially confirmed, investigators are working closely with regional and international partners to determine the origins of the vessel and the identities of those onboard. The human remains have been transported to the island of St. Vincent, where they are currently being held at the Kingstown mortuary for further forensic and investigative procedures.

The incident has raised concerns among the public, and the RSVGPF has assured that the investigation is being treated with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity. The department is committed to pursuing all leads and ensuring that all appropriate protocols are followed throughout the investigation process.

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for Mali, citing concerns of crime, terrorism, and kidnapping in the country. Violent crime, such as kidnapping and armed robbery, is common in Mali, particularly during local holidays and seasonal events. Terrorist and armed groups also continue to plot kidnappings and attacks in the region, targeting locations frequented by foreigners.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines are located in the Eastern Caribbean, west of Barbados and south of St. Lucia. The investigation into the vessel that washed ashore on Canouan Island remains ongoing, with authorities working diligently to uncover the truth behind this tragic discovery.