Lost at Sea: Grim Discovery of African Migrants on Drifting Boat in Caribbean

iNewsAfrica | Caribbean Bureau | May 30, 2025

Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are probing the mysterious arrival of a vessel carrying 11 decomposed bodies, believed to be West African migrants. The boat, discovered near Canouan Island, contained several Malian passports, raising concerns over deadly transatlantic migration routes.

• A 45-foot boat washed ashore on Canouan Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on May 26.

• Onboard were 11 bodies in an advanced state of decomposition.

• Passports found suggest the deceased were from Mali, West Africa.

• Forensic investigation is underway; authorities suspect failed transatlantic migration.

• The incident echoes similar migrant tragedies in the Caribbean.

Kingstown, St. Vincent – A grim discovery has shocked the eastern Caribbean as police confirm that 11 decomposed bodies were found aboard a drifting boat that ran aground on Canouan Island last Sunday. The vessel, approximately 45 feet in length, was first spotted off Little Bay and Cherry Hill, prompting an immediate investigation by local authorities.

Documents retrieved from the scene—including multiple Malian passports—suggest the victims were likely West African nationals, possibly part of a larger group attempting a perilous journey across the Atlantic.

“Given the condition of the remains and the items recovered, we believe this vessel may have been adrift for weeks, if not months,” the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said in a statement. The bodies have been transported to the capital, Kingstown, where a full forensic examination is ongoing.

This tragedy follows a disturbing pattern. In early 2025, 19 bodies were found near St. Kitts and Nevis, also traced to migrants with ties to Mali. In 2021, a similar case emerged near Trinidad and Tobago involving a Mauritania-origin vessel en route to Europe that drifted across the Atlantic.

The UN Refugee Agency and migration experts believe these boats often originate from West Africa, with passengers aiming to reach Europe via the Canary Islands. However, due to poor navigation systems and unpredictable currents, many vessels become lost at sea—some washing up thousands of miles away in the Caribbean.

Local officials are working closely with international agencies to identify the victims and notify their families. “This is a humanitarian tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers of irregular migration,” said a spokesperson for the St. Vincent Ministry of National Security.

As investigations continue, the incident has sparked regional calls for stronger collaboration to combat human trafficking networks and promote safe migration alternatives.

🗣️ iNewsAfrica will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as authorities uncover more details behind this tragic voyage.