The coastguard of St Kitts and Nevis made a grim discovery on Wednesday, finding 13 decomposing bodies aboard a boat adrift off its coast. The vessel bore a "striking resemblance" to another boat discovered nearby in 2021, which contained the remains of 15 individuals, according to a statement from the Trinidadian coast guard. The deceased have not yet been identified, leaving many questions unanswered.
The discovery comes just days after another tragic find—the remains of five individuals found in a skiff near Trinidad and Tobago. The skiff was located approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) away from the site where the 13 bodies were found. Officials from both Caribbean nations have not established any definitive link between the two incidents, although it has been speculated that the skiff may have drifted from the African coast with migrants on board.
Cromwell Henry, deputy commissioner of St Kitts and Nevis police, commented on the unsettling discovery. He noted the advanced state of decomposition of the 13 bodies, which has complicated the identification process. The authorities are working diligently to uncover more information about the individuals involved and any possible connections between the two recent discoveries.
The vessel found on Saturday echoes a similar tragedy in 2021 when a boat was discovered near Trinidad and Tobago with 15 deceased individuals aboard. The resemblance between these vessels has raised concerns and prompted further investigation into their origins and the circumstances leading to such devastating outcomes.
As investigations continue, officials are reaching out to international partners in hopes of identifying the deceased and understanding the broader implications of these maritime tragedies. Both nations remain on high alert as they work to address this concerning pattern of unidentified vessels carrying deceased individuals.