Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are investigating the discovery of 11 decomposed bodies found aboard a vessel that washed ashore on Canouan Island on Monday, May 26, 2025.
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force received a report at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time regarding a suspicious vessel discovered along the coastline near Little Bay and Cherry Hill. Officers from the Canouan police station responded to the scene and made the grim discovery.
The boat measured 45 feet long, 12 feet wide and 6 feet deep, and was found grounded in the area. Police determined that the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, with some bodies not fully intact. The exact cause of death remains unknown, and authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of the deceased.
Several passports recovered from the vessel appear to originate from the West African nation of Mali. However, police emphasized that no official identifications have been made, and forensic work continues. The human remains have been transported to mainland St. Vincent and are being held at the Kingstown mortuary for further forensic and investigative procedures.
Police indicated that “this incident is deeply concerning, and we understand the public’s interest in the matter.” The department assured the public that it is treating the investigation with utmost seriousness and sensitivity, and is committed to pursuing every lead while ensuring all appropriate protocols are followed.
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force stated it is working closely with regional and international partners to verify the origins of the vessel and confirm the identities of those onboard. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The discovery comes amid ongoing instability in Mali, which has been under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department since July 2023. The advisory cites ongoing threats of terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime. The State Department noted that violent crime, including kidnapping and armed robbery, is common in Mali, with particular concerns during local holidays and seasonal events in the capital Bamako and surrounding regions.
This incident follows a similar discovery in the Caribbean earlier this year. In January 2025, authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis launched an investigation after 19 people were found dead aboard a drifting vessel. The St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard responded to reports of the vessel around 11:30 a.m. local time on January 29, 2025, off the coast of Nevis.
In that case, the partially submerged fishing vessel contained decomposed human remains and was towed to St. Kitts for investigation. Police Commissioner James Sutton told reporters that the vessel was not typically found in Caribbean waters and believed it originated off the West African coast. Identification documents found on that vessel also suggested some deceased individuals were from Mali.
The advanced state of decomposition in both cases made identification difficult for authorities. In the St. Kitts and Nevis incident, officials indicated the vessel had been at sea for a lengthy period based on the condition of the remains.
Similar discoveries have occurred in other regions. In August 2024, forensic authorities in the Dominican Republic worked to identify remains of at least 14 mostly decomposed bodies found on an abandoned vessel 10 nautical miles off its northern coast. The Dominican Republic Navy determined the skeletons appeared to belong to individuals from Senegal and Mauritania, based on documentation found with the bodies.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the Canouan vessel was part of a migration attempt. Questions remain about how long the boat had been at sea, what conditions the passengers faced, and what led to the loss of life. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is urging anyone with knowledge that could assist the inquiry to contact the Criminal Investigations Department, Major Crimes Unit, Police Control, or any nearby police station.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the Eastern Caribbean, west of Barbados and south of St. Lucia. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding this discovery.
