Eleven decomposing bodies have been discovered on a drifting boat near a Caribbean island, believed to be migrants from Mali who lost their lives during a desperate journey gone terribly wrong.
At a Glance
- A 45-foot vessel with 11 decomposing bodies washed ashore on Canouan, a Caribbean island
- Several passports from the Republic of Mali were found onboard the vessel
- Police believe the migrants were likely attempting to reach the Canary Islands, not the Caribbean
- This follows a similar January incident in St. Kitts and Nevis where 19 bodies were discovered
- Mali has been experiencing violence since 2012, forcing many citizens to flee the country
Grim Discovery on Caribbean Shores
Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines made a horrific discovery when they found a boat containing the remains of 11 individuals in an advanced state of decomposition. The vessel, measuring 45 feet in length, drifted onto the eastern shore near Little Bay, Cherry Hill, on the island of Canouan in the Caribbean. According to initial reports, some of the bodies were not fully intact, highlighting the extended period the deceased had likely been at sea before washing ashore. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into the disturbing find.
Mali Connection and Investigation Efforts
During the initial examination of the vessel, investigators discovered several passports from the Republic of Mali, suggesting the individuals were nationals of the West African country. Mali has been experiencing significant unrest since 2012, with violence driving many citizens to flee. The U.S. State Department currently maintains a high-level travel advisory for Mali due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping risks, further illustrating the desperate circumstances that may have led these individuals to undertake such a perilous journey. Authorities are now working diligently to establish the identities of the deceased and determine the specific circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“During the initial examination of the vessel, what appear to be decomposed human remains were found onboard. The identities and circumstances surrounding the discovery are yet to be determined.” – Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force – Abandoned Boat Found with 11 Bodies Onboard ‘in Advanced State of Decomposition’ on Caribbean Island: Police
The investigation has expanded beyond local resources, with the police force collaborating with regional and international partners to verify the origins of the vessel and establish the identities of those on board. Officials have emphasized the seriousness with which they are approaching this case, acknowledging both its humanitarian significance and public interest. The advanced decomposition of the remains presents significant challenges to identification efforts, but authorities remain committed to providing answers and closure.
19 People Found Dead on Boat Near Caribbean Island, Investigation Is Underway: Police https://t.co/vAvptaJnx5
— People (@people) February 2, 2025
Pattern of Tragedy in Migrant Sea Crossings
This incident bears striking similarities to another tragic discovery in January of this year, when authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis found 19 bodies under comparable circumstances. In both cases, police believe the individuals were from Mali and had been at sea for an extended period. Eujin Byun from the UN Refugee Agency suggests these migrants were likely attempting to reach the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory off the northwest coast of Africa, rather than the Caribbean. Ocean currents and navigation errors may have carried their vessels thousands of miles off course.
“Desperate people make desperate decisions.” – Eujin Byun – Boat with 11 Decomposing Bodies Being Investigated After Washing Up on Shore | The Gateway Pundit | by Jack Davis, The Western Journal
The recurring nature of these tragedies highlights the extreme risks migrants are willing to take to escape violence, poverty, and persecution. Unsafe vessels, lack of proper navigation equipment, insufficient supplies, and the unpredictable nature of ocean crossings create a lethal combination for those desperate enough to attempt such journeys. The distance between Mali and the Canary Islands is substantial even under ideal conditions, requiring careful planning and adequate resources that many migrants simply do not have access to when fleeing dangerous situations.
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.
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— Searchlight SVG (@SearchlightSVG) May 30, 2025
Broader Implications of Migrant Crises
These devastating incidents serve as stark reminders of the global migration crisis and its deadly consequences. The perilous journeys undertaken by migrants from conflict zones like Mali reflect the extreme measures people will take when facing violence and instability at home. While much attention focuses on Mediterranean crossings, this discovery illustrates how African migration attempts span multiple dangerous sea routes. As authorities work to identify the deceased and notify their families, the international community faces renewed questions about how to address the root causes driving such desperate migration attempts.
“We assure you that the RSVGPF [the police force] is treating this investigation with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity. We are committed to pursuing every lead and ensuring that all appropriate protocols are followed.” – authorities – Abandoned Boat Found with 11 Bodies Onboard ‘in Advanced State of Decomposition’ on Caribbean Island: Police
The discovery in Canouan represents not just a criminal investigation but a humanitarian tragedy that transcends borders. As officials continue their work to piece together the final journey of these 11 individuals, their story stands as a solemn testament to the extreme risks faced by those fleeing violence and seeking better lives. The significant distance between Mali and the Caribbean underscores just how far off course these vessels can drift, and how prolonged and agonizing the final days must have been for those on board before their tragic end.