Police 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 May 26, 2025. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force received a report about the suspicious vessel at approximately 10:45 a.m. Monday morning.
The boat was discovered grounded along the coastline near Little Bay and Cherry Hill on Canouan Island. Officers from the Canouan police station responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of human remains during their initial examination of the vessel.
The unnamed vessel measures 45 feet in length, 12 feet in width and six feet in depth. Police investigators found the remains in an advanced state of decomposition, with some bodies not fully intact. Several passports recovered from the scene appear to be from the Republic of Mali, a West African nation.
Videos from the scene showed various colored clothing, shoes, bags, life vests and pieces of human bones scattered across the beach where the boat was found. No official identification of the deceased individuals has been confirmed at this stage of the investigation.
The human remains have been transported to mainland St. Vincent, where they are being held at the Kingstown mortuary pending further forensic and investigative procedures. Police indicated the investigation is active and ongoing, with authorities working closely with regional and international partners to verify the origins of the vessel and identify those onboard.
The discovery follows a similar incident in January 2025, when 19 people were found dead aboard a vessel near St. Kitts and Nevis. In that case, identification documents suggested some of the deceased individuals were also from Mali. The vessel was described as a fishing boat, which officials noted is not typically found in Caribbean waters.
Police authorities assured the public they are treating the investigation with utmost seriousness and sensitivity. “This incident is deeply concerning, and we understand the public’s interest in the matter,” law enforcement stated.
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is committed to pursuing every lead and ensuring all appropriate protocols are followed during the investigation. Officials indicated they will provide additional information as it becomes available.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the Eastern Caribbean, west of Barbados and south of St. Lucia. Canouan Island is part of the Southern Grenadines chain and serves as a popular tourist destination in the region.
Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge that could assist the inquiry to contact the Criminal Investigations Department or Major Crimes Unit, Police Control, the Police Emergency line, or any nearby police station. The investigation remains ongoing as forensic experts work to determine the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
